Cardiac CT
CT tailored for coronary and cardiac structural assessment.
What is Cardiac?
Cardiac CT combines the principles of CT imaging with ECG synchronization to freeze cardiac motion during the scan. This allows detailed visualization of coronary arteries, cardiac chambers, valves, and surrounding structures without the need for invasive catheterization.
How it works: During the scan, the ECG signal triggers the X-ray tube at specific points in the cardiac cycle (typically mid-diastole for coronary imaging). Contrast material is injected intravenously to enhance visualization of blood vessels. Multiple images are acquired and reconstructed into detailed 3D views of the heart.
Common Uses of Cardiac
Chest pain evaluation
Evaluate patients with low to intermediate risk of coronary artery disease
Coronary artery calcium scoring
Quantify coronary artery calcification for risk stratification
Preoperative assessment
Assess coronary anatomy before non-cardiac surgery
Structural heart disease
Evaluate congenital anomalies, valve disease, cardiomyopathies
Bypass graft and stent evaluation
Assess patency of coronary artery bypass grafts and stents
Advantages
- ✓Non-invasive alternative to coronary angiography
- ✓Excellent negative predictive value (>99%)
- ✓Simultaneous assessment of cardiac structures
- ✓Rapid procedure (5-10 minutes total)
- ✓Widely available technology
Limitations
- ⚠Radiation exposure (though significantly reduced)
- ⚠Contrast material requirements
- ⚠Limited by heart rate and rhythm
- ⚠Calcification can limit evaluation
- ⚠Not suitable for patients with high calcium scores
Preparation Checklist
0 of 12 completed
⚖️Cardiac vs CT
Related Imaging Modalities
Correlate with stress testing. MRI provides functional assessment. Ultrasound offers dynamic evaluation. DSA remains gold standard for intervention.
CT
CT scans use X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. They are particularly useful for detecting bone fractures, tumors, and internal bleeding.
MRI
MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of organs and soft tissues. Excellent for brain, spine, and joint imaging.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images. Commonly used for pregnancy monitoring and examining organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Digital
Catheter-based iodinated contrast angiography for vessels.
Browse Cardiac Terms
Explore common terms in Cardiac reports, each with detailed explanations, clinical significance, and related lab tests to help you understand your imaging results. lab tests.
Coronary Artery Anomaly on Cardiac CT: What It Shows, Cost &
Abnormal origin, course, or termination of coronary arteries. May include anomalous origin from opposite sinus, interarterial course, myocardial bridging, or coronary artery fistula.
Cardiac Tumor on CT: What It Shows, Cost & Preparation
Intracardiac or pericardial mass with variable enhancement, attenuation, and morphology. May be primary (myxoma, lipoma, papillary fibroelastoma) or secondary (metastasis).
Pericardial Disease on Cardiac CT: What It Shows, Cost & Pre
Pericardial thickening (>2mm), calcification, effusion, or constriction. May show pericardial enhancement with inflammation, dense calcification in constrictive pericarditis, or fluid attenuation collection.
Cardiac Thrombus on CT: What It Shows, Cost & Preparation
Intracardiac filling defect, typically in left atrial appendage (LAA) or ventricle; low attenuation (30-50 HU), does not enhance with contrast
Coronary Artery Calcium Score: What It Shows, Cost & Prepara
High-attenuation plaques (>130 HU) in coronary artery distribution; Agatston score calculated: 0 (none), 1-10 (minimal), 11-100 (mild), 101-400 (moderate), >400 (severe)
Coronary Artery Stenosis on CT: What It Shows, Cost & Prepar
Coronary artery luminal narrowing on CT angiography. Stenosis graded: none (0%), mild (1-49%), moderate (50-69%), severe (70-99%), occluded (100%)
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