title: Integrative computed tomographic imaging of coronary artery disease.
abstract: Rapid technological evolution in multislice computed tomography (CT) over the last decade with improved spatial and temporal resolution has enabled cardiac CT to become a viable and effective alternative in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Within recent years CT coronary angiography has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, and in particular a very high negative-predictive value, making it a valuable imaging modality for ruling out suspected coronary artery disease. In addition, CT angiography demonstrates accuracy in the detection and characterization of coronary plaques, and it has been reported to play an important role in predicting disease progression and cardiac events. The goal of this article is to provide an overview on the role and current clinical applications of cardiac CT in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Emerging areas of cardiac CT, including dual-energy CT and CT myocardial perfusion are also discussed, as well as the limitations and future directions of cardiac CT.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29401, USA. weininge@musc.edu
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weininger
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renker
authors.forename: Garret W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Abro
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: U Joseph
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Schoepf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends