title: [Investigation techniques and importance of CT for diagnostics of cardiac valvular diseases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is the first-line modality for coronary assessment. In addition valvular morphology and function can be evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method of choice for the evaluation of cardiac valves is echocardiography, followed by magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recent technical improvements and advances in temporal resolution allow a detailed anatomical and functional evaluation of the cardiac valves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cardiac CT provides an excellent image quality of the aortic and mitral valve thus enabling an evaluation of the morphology. In addition, cardiac CT allows an assessment of aortic valve function with respect to the grading of stenosis and regurgitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiac CT is not considered the first-line modality for the evaluation of cardiac valves; however, beyond coronary assessment CT provides important information on the morphology and function of cardiac valves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac CT can be a useful imaging alternative for patients in whom other more commonly used methods, such as echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging fail to provide the necessary information.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Rämistr. 100, 8091, Zürich, Schweiz, Sonja.Gordic@usz.ch.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gordic
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alkadhi
mesh_terms: D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*