Cardiac Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now form an important part of evaluation of patients with diseases of the heart and aorta. This has become possible due to improvements in technology. ECG-gated CT has become the non-invasive technique of choice for assessment of coronary artery disease while MRI allows accurate assessment of ventricular function, ischaemia, viability and tissue characterisation in patients with heart failure, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease. Both techniques are valuable in assessment of cardiac masses, congenital heart conditions as well as diseases of the pericardium and aorta. CT has an important role in patients with acute aortic syndromes and post-surgical patients. This chapter will discuss the essential technical aspects underlying cardiac CT and MRI scanning and their clinical applications.