MDCT of the myocardium: a new contribution to ischemic heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the progress made in diagnosis and treatment, cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of death worldwide.


METHODS
Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) provides several diagnostic insights, namely assessment of coronary artery anatomy and measurement of left ventricular volume and function. The ability of CT to show myocardial infarcted areas as an enhanced territory was described in the late 1970s in an animal model.


RESULTS
This method found a second wind with the arrival of MDCT technology that led to its clinical application. Several authors describe the ability of MDCT to assess myocardial injury both in animals and humans. The MDCT assessment of myocardial late enhancement is based on the same principle as delayed enhancement MRI.


CONCLUSIONS
The aim of this review is to cover the technical aspects of cardiac MDCT in assessing the myocardium and its potential in diagnosing ischemic heart disease.
Jacquier
Alexis
A
Department of Radiology, Hopital de la Timone, University of Marseille Méditerranée, 264 rue St Pierre, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France. alexis.jacquier@ap-hm.fr <alexis.jacquier@ap-hm.fr>
Revel
Didier
D
Saeed
Maythem
M
D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media