Multidetector-Row CT for Assessment of Cardiac Valves

Abstract

Imaging of the heart with computed tomography (CT) is challenging because the heart is continuously moving during data acquisition. As a result of the limited temporal resolution, the use of single-detector helical CT for noninvasive cardiac imaging was limited and resulted often in images with a high content of artifacts. The introduction of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) scanners by the end of 1998 laid the foundation for increased clinical use of CT for cardiac imaging. Partial view acquisition and retrospectively electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated helical reconstruction offered by 4-channel MDCT scanners, allow for a temporal resolution of up to 125 ms, combined with both a high spatial resolution and a high signal-to-noise ratio 1. Last-generation 16-channel MDCT scanners permit scanning of the whole heart with an even higher temporal resolution of up to 105 ms within a convenient short breath-hold of about 18 s (2). Apart from visualization of coronary artery lumen and stenosis as well as detection and quantification of coronary calcification (3,4), these technical developments in CT technology also improved visualization of morphological details of the heart including the cardiac valves (5,6).