ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with a discussion of future hybrid computerized tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner design, image reconstruction, and image fusion. X-ray CT and cardiac MRI are emerging as the most promising complementary imaging modalities for coronary atherosclerotic disease detection. The goal of hybrid cardiovascular imaging is combining complementary information from multiple modalities to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy. The hybridization of CT and MRI can address the challenge of simultaneously providing both functional and structural images of the patient's cardiovascular system. Hybrid CT-MRI cardiovascular imaging is an ideal application for the evaluation of chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD). CIHD is a prevalent disease with a high mortality and can be technically challenging to diagnose. Conventional hybrid modalities used in CIHD diagnosis and treatment planning involve significant ionizing radiation. Hybrid CT-MRI has become a viable imaging option due to recent technical advances in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).
