Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography-Guided Valve Sizing for Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement
Published on: January 20, 2022
[Computed tomography for imaging of pediatric congenital heart disease]
N Glaser-Gallion1, B Stinn, H Alkadhi
1Institut für Radiologie, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Universität Zürich, Rorschacherstr. 95, St. Gallen, Schweiz.
Insights
Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is increasingly vital for diagnosing congenital heart disease, offering detailed anatomical and functional insights. This review covers CT techniques, protocol modifications, and radiation dose reduction for improved patient care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common developmental abnormalities.
- Echocardiography and cardiac catheter angiography are standard diagnostic tools for CHDs.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is a valuable supplementary imaging modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving role of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in evaluating congenital heart disease.
- To discuss technical aspects and protocol modifications for cardiac CT in CHDs.
- To outline radiation dose reduction strategies and their implications.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on cardiac CT for congenital heart disease.
- Analysis of technical advancements in CT imaging (spatial/temporal resolution, low-dose protocols).
- Discussion of protocol adaptations based on pathology and patient age.
Main Results:
- Cardiac CT provides detailed preoperative and postoperative information on cardiac structures, pulmonary circulation, and systemic arteries.
- Advancements in low-dose protocols and image resolution enhance the utility of cardiac CT.
- Cardiac CT offers a comprehensive assessment complementing echocardiography and CMRI.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac computed tomography is a crucial imaging modality for congenital heart disease assessment.
- Optimized CT protocols and radiation reduction techniques expand its clinical application.
- Cardiac CT plays a significant role in the management of patients with congenital heart disease.
Abstract:
Congenital heart diseases are the most common congenital abnormalities of development. In general, echocardiography and cardiac catheter angiography are considered the gold standard for the evaluation of congenital heart disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has become an important supplementary imaging modality because of its ability to provide an accurate morphological and functional evaluation. The role of cardiac computed tomography in the imaging of patients with congenital heart disease is becoming increasingly more important due to the development of low radiation dose protocols and improvements in the spatial and temporal resolution. In the preoperative depiction and follow-up after surgical repair of congenital heart diseases, cardiac computed tomography provides detailed information of the heart, the venous and arterial pulmonary circulation as well as systemic arteries. This article reviews the technical aspects of cardiac CT and the modification of examination protocols according to the expected pathology and patient age. The potentials and limitations of the various radiation dose reduction strategies are outlined.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...