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Noncoronary Applications of Cardiac Multidetector Row Computed Tomography

Laurens F. Tops, MD^_*,_*, Subramaniam C. Krishnàn, MD, Joanne D. Schuijf, MSc^_*, Martin J. Schalij, MD, PhD^_*, Jeroen J. Bax, MD, PhD, FACC^_*,1

^_* Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
Division of Cardiology, University of California, Irvine, California.

^_* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Laurens F. Tops, Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands. (Email: l.f.tops{at}lumc.nl).

Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) has a high diagnostic accuracy to evaluate coronary artery stenoses. Additionally, the 4-dimensional aspect of cardiac MDCT allows a comprehensive evaluation of cardiac structure and function. Left ventricular volumes and systolic function can be accurately assessed with MDCT, and imaging of myocardial infarction is a promising application of cardiac MDCT. In addition, MDCT may provide anatomical visualization of heart valves. Also, evaluation of anatomy of the pulmonary veins and cardiac venous system render MDCT a valuable tool for the cardiologist performing electrophysiological procedures. In this article, the role of MDCT in the noninvasive evaluation of cardiac structure and function is discussed. An overview of the wide range of noncoronary applications of cardiac MDCT is provided, focusing on the assessment of left ventricular function, valvular heart disease, and cardiac venous anatomy.

Abbreviations and Acronyms   2D = 2-dimensional   3D = 3-dimensional   CAD = coronary artery disease   CRT = cardiac resynchronization therapy   CT = computed tomography   LPCB = left pericardiophrenic bundle   LV = left ventricle/ventricular   LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction   MDCT = multidetector row computed tomography   MRI = magnetic resonance imaging   SPECT = single-photon emission computed tomography