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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
[Role of the multidetector computed tomography for noninvasive evaluation of ischemic heart disease]
Gianluca Pontone1, Erika Bertella, Daniele Andreini
1Servizio Risonanza Magnetica, UO Radiodiagnostica, UO Cardiologia Clinica, IRCCS, Milano. gianluca.pontone@ccfm.it
Insights
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) offers a valuable, less invasive alternative to traditional coronary angiography for evaluating coronary arteries. This review details MDCT
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Radiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Invasive coronary angiography is the standard for coronary artery evaluation but has limitations.
- These limitations include invasiveness, potential adverse events, high cost, and assessment of lumen only.
- A need exists for safer, more comprehensive diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the technical background of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for coronary angiography.
- To explore the clinical applications of MDCT in evaluating coronary arteries.
- To discuss radiation exposure issues associated with MDCT coronary angiography.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on MDCT for coronary artery assessment.
- Analysis of technical advancements in MDCT scanners (high-speed, ECG-gating).
- Evaluation of clinical studies comparing MDCT with invasive angiography.
Main Results:
- MDCT provides high spatial and temporal resolution, enabling detailed coronary artery visualization.
- MDCT is emerging as a valuable alternative to invasive coronary angiography.
- Technical improvements have enhanced MDCT's diagnostic capabilities.
Conclusions:
- MDCT represents a significant advancement in non-invasive coronary artery imaging.
- Further research is needed to optimize radiation safety and expand clinical indications.
- MDCT offers a promising diagnostic tool for cardiovascular assessment.
Abstract:
The anatomical evaluation of the coronary arteries, the clinical indication for revascularization procedure and followup of patients has always been prerogative of invasive coronary angiography. However this technique has several disvantages. First, it is invasive and associated with a not neglegible incidence of adverse events. Second, it is expensive and last the information obtained via catheter-based coronary angiography pertains to the coronary arterial lumen alone.The introduction of multidetector computed tomography scanner associated with high-speed and ECG-gated x-ray tube allowed an increase in spatial and temporal resolution such as to consider this technology a valuable alternative to the invasive coronary angiography. The aim of this review is to describe tecnical background, clinical applications and issues of radiation exposure of this new promising diagnostic method.
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