Multi-detector row computed tomography: imaging the coronary arteries.
Over the last 2 years, multi-detector row computed tomographic (MDCT) cardiac imaging has continued to rapidly develop and evolve from the experimental research setting to become a useful clinical tool. The increasing availability of MDCT presents today's clinicians with an additional non-invasive diagnostic cardiac imaging method, in particular for the coronary arteries. With the advent and increasing clinical use of 16-detector row machines, and now with the imminent clinical emergence of 64-channel machines, the improvements in spatial and temporal resolution and sophisticated ECG-gating are allowing motion-free, fast, accurate, detailed, contrast-enhanced cardiac imaging that begins to approach the accuracy of traditional invasive diagnostic techniques. Additional diagnostic information may also be provided.
Manghat
N E
NE
Department of Clinical Radiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. docnatman@msn.com
Morgan-Hughes
G J
GJ
Marshall
A J
AJ
Roobottom
C A
CA
D000465:Algorithms; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*