ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on issues of technique and patient preparation related to acquisition of cardiac computed tomography (CT), and the use of cardiac CT to perform calcium scoring, to assess the coronary arteries, and to evaluate non-coronary cardiac structures. Protocols for cardiac CT acquisition differ from other multidetector CT protocols because of the requirement for ECG-gating. A cardiac CT service can take several forms, involving radiologists, cardiologists, or a combination of these. Reimbursement by third-party insurance carriers of cardiac CT examinations currently is sporadic. Cardiac CT is also useful to assess the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts. Cardiac CT is used for many non-coronary applications such as assessment of the cardiac chambers and valves, tumor and thrombus, cardiac function and perfusion, and congenital heart disease. Cardiac MRI remains an important part of the imaging armamentarium because of its versatility and lack of ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast material.
