Deciphering the role of cardiac computed tomography in interventional cardiology: 2012 and beyond

Abstract

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) provides accurate 3D assessment of the coronary arteries and cardiac structures and serves as an important adjunctive imaging modality in the preprocedural planning of percutaneous coronary and structural interventions. Using contemporary multidetector CT scanner technology, preprocedural CT is currently particularly relevant in guiding chronic total occlusion and left main coronary artery interventions, in assessment of stent patency and in providing an accurate assessment of the aortic annulus and iliofemoral arteries before transcatheter aortic valvular replacement. Notably, its role in providing comprehensive assessment of the coronary arteries, including the detection of vulnerable plaque and myocardial ischemia, is being determined. As future technological advances in CT continue to improve its diagnostic performance and reduce required radiation exposure, further expansion of its utilization is expected across the scope of interventional cardiology.