Abstract

Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) techniques have been improved rapidly during the last decade. Beside a high spatial and temporal resolution, newest scanner generations provide a fast volume coverage which allows imaging of the heart and the visualization of the coronary arteries in less than 10 seconds. However, despite numerous studies concerning the detection of coronary artery calcifications, the clinical role of CT for the evaluation of the coronary arteries has to be defined. Current statements of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association discuss the possible clinical use of MDCT for the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Besides the detection of coronary artery calcifications as a sub-clinical marker for the presence of coronary artery atherosclerosis with a strong predictive value for future cardiovascular events, contrast-enhanced CT coronary angiography has demonstrated its ability to reliably exclude significant coronary artery stenoses in patients with a low to intermediate pre-test likelihood. This article will provide a brief summary of clinical data and possible indications of MDCT for the evaluation of the coronary arteries.

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