title: [Multi slice computerized tomography of the heart and coronary arteries].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to the recent technological progress, multislice computerized tomography (MSCT) allows visualizing the heart and coronary arteries. Multislice computed tomography is non invasive and provides high quality images.Its main limits are arythmia, tachycardia and coronary calcifications. But the main drawback with MSCT is the radiation dose.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Report of usefuluess and indications of multislice CT scanner.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rzview of literature
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the indications of MSCT did not reach a guideleness level yet, some trends can be stated. The advantages and limitations of MSCT in cardiac exploration are summarized in this article. The indications are mainly based on the excellent negative predictive value of MSCT regarding coronary artery disease. Hence, patients at low to moderate risk of coronary artery disease mostly benefit of the technique. MSCT can be an alternate examination in case of non feasible or non contributive ischemic test. MSCT is highly contributive in the ostial analysis, in detecting abnormal congenital coronary anomalies or in analysing bypass grafts. MSCT remains limited in patients with heavily calcified coronary arteries, and in patients with stented distal arteries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multislice CT scanner should not be considered as equivalent to invasive coronary angiography bu it is a additional diagnostic tool.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Imagerie Médical, Hôpital La Rabta.
authors.forename: Habiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mizouni
authors.forename: Younes
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arous
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hedhli
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Emna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menif
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data