title: Refined computed tomography of the thoracic aorta: the impact of electrocardiographic assistance.
abstract: There have been a number of advances in helical computed tomography (CT) in recent years, which have had a beneficial impact on the quality of imaging of the thoracic aorta. These advances include sub-second gantry rotation, multislice acquisition, and the use of electrocardiographic (ECG) assistance. We examine these techniques with emphasis on the principles behind ECG assistance and its use to reduce aortic motion artefact. We highlight examples of ECG-assisted multislice CT in a spectrum of pathologies of the thoracic aorta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, South West Cardiothoracic Centre, Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK. hughesgj@talk21.com
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Morgan-Hughes
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Roobottom
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*