[Indications for multislice CT angiography of coronary arteries].
BACKGROUND
The newest generation of 16-detector-row CT allows displaying the anatomy and assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) when slow regular sinus rhythm is present.


METHODS
For morphological assessment of cardiac structures by using Multi-detector row CT a dedicated scan protocol is obligatory. The indication for coronary CT angiography (CTA) is currently under investigation by several study groups.


RESULTS
Because of the limited spatial and temporal resolution and coronary calcium artefacts, it is not possible with multislice CT angiography to assess coronary arteries in patients with established coronary artery disease. The anatomy of the coronary arteries can well be displayed with this technique.


CONCLUSIONS
The high negative predictive value of coronary CTA may justify the investigation of symptomatic patients with intermediate pretest probability of CAD. Moreover coronary CTA is suitable for patients for displaying the origin and course of abnormal coronary arteries.
Rist
C
C
Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Klinikum Grosshadern der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. carsten.rist@med.uni-muenchen.de
Nikolaou
K
K
Wintersperger
B J
BJ
Bastarrika
G
G
Reiser
M F
MF
Becker
C R
CR
D016477:Artifacts; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed
D003287:Contrast Media