Non coronary applications of cardiac computed tomography: A review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Radiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death globally.
• Acquired heart conditions, including valvular issues and coronary artery disease, contribute significantly to mortality.
• Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has advanced, improving image quality for cardiac assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the non-coronary applications of cardiac CT.
• To explore CCT's role in valvular assessment, pulmonary vein isolation, and left atrial appendage evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and technological advancements in cardiac CT.
• Focus on non-coronary indications and their diagnostic utility.
• Emphasis on image quality, radiation dose, and acquisition speed.

Main Results:

• CCT provides high temporal and spatial resolution for cardiac imaging.
• It offers noninvasive assessment of cardiac structure, function, and valvular pathologies.
• CCT aids in evaluating valvular vegetation, masses, and intracardiac thrombus.

Conclusions:

• CCT is a valuable, noninvasive tool for diagnosing and managing non-coronary cardiac conditions.
• Its applications extend to pre- and post-intervention management in valvular diseases and electrophysiology.
• CCT facilitates procedures like pulmonary vein isolation and transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion.