Three-dimensional visualization of the coronary venous system using multidetector row computed tomography.
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to investigate the applicability and image quality of contrast-enhanced visualization of the coronary venous system (CVS) by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).


RESULTS
A total of 70 patients underwent MDCT and for each patient, 6 data sets were created throughout the cardiac cycle. The number and location of coronary veins were evaluated in 3-dimensional images using the 6 data sets. The quality of all images reconstructed from the 6 data sets was too poor to evaluate the CVS in 6 patients (9%). In the remaining 64 patients (91%), the diameter of the CVS was usually greater in the images reconstructed from data acquired during systole than in those reconstructed from data acquired during diastole. However, artifacts were observed more often in images from systole than from diastole. The coronary sinus and middle cardiac vein were visible in all 64 patients. The left marginal and posterior veins also were identified in 54 (84%) and 60 patients (94%), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT can be used as a non-invasive modality for evaluating the CVS anatomy in most patients.
Tada
Hiroshi
H
Divisions of Cardiology, Gunma Prefectural Cardiovascular Center, Maebashi, Japan. tada.h@cvc.pref.gunma.jp
Kurosaki
Kenji
K
Naito
Shigeto
S
Koyama
Keiko
K
Itoi
Kazuhiro
K
Ito
Sachiko
S
Ueda
Marehiko
M
Shinbo
Goro
G
Hoshizaki
Hiroshi
H
Nogami
Akihiko
A
Oshima
Shigeru
S
Taniguchi
Koichi
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards