Cardiac CT: why, when, and how : Update 2019

The aim of this study was to review established and emerging techniques of cardiac computed tomography (CT) and their clinical applications with a special emphasis on new techniques, recent trials, and guidelines.

Cardiac CT has made great strides in recent years to become an ever more robust and safe imaging technique. The improvements in spatial and temporal resolution are equally important as the substantial reduction in radiation exposure, which has been achieved through prospective ECG-triggering, low tube voltage scanning, tube current modulation, and iterative reconstruction techniques. CT-derived fractional flow reserve and CT myocardial perfusion imaging are novel, investigational techniques to assess the hemodynamic significance of coronary stenosis.

In asymptomatic patients at risk for coronary artery disease, CT coronary artery calcium scoring is useful to assess cardiovascular risk and guide the intensity of risk factor modification. Coronary CT angiography is an excellent noninvasive test to rule out obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with stable chest pain. In acute chest pain with normal ECG and normal cardiac enzymes, cardiac CT can safely rule out acute coronary syndrome although its benefit and role in this indication remains controversial. Cardiac CT is the established standard for planning transcatheter aortic valve implantation and-increasingly-minimally invasive mitral valve procedures.

Our review makes practical recommendations on when and how to perform cardiac CT and provides templates for structured reporting of cardiac CT examinations.