[Non-invasive coronary angiography by multislice computed tomography: a new diagnostic method?].
A significant improvement in the noninvasive evaluation of coronary anatomy has been obtained after the introduction of the new high-speed multislice computed tomography systems. Images are reconstructed using retrospective ECG-gated protocol along with contrast analysis and three-dimensional display algorithms. The 8 detectors and the reduced tube rotation time of last-generation scanners allow the coverage of the entire heart during a single breath-hold following an intravenous bolus of 120 ml of nonionic contrast. Faster computer software offers submillimeter resolution reconstructions and increased post-processing capabilities, such as quantitative angiography, virtual angioscopy, and calcium score evaluation. At least in this phase of technical development the visualization of side branches of coronary vessels seems to advantage multislice computed tomography with respect to nuclear magnetic resonance and electron-beam computed tomography in the challenge for clinical noninvasive evaluation of coronary microcirculation.
Divisione di Cardiologia IRCCS Fondazione S. Maugeri Via Ferrata, 4, 27100 Pavia.
Egidio
E
Traversi
Annachiara
A
Aldrovandi
Giancarlo
G
Barazzoni
Giuseppe
G
Bertoli
Maurizia
M
Baldi
Roberto
R
Tramarin
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed