Multi-slice computed tomography in coronary artery disease.

Multi-slice computed tomography technology is emerging as a realistic investigation in patients with suspected disease in native, stented or grafted coronary arteries. A non-invasive diagnostic tool is desirable as these patients are at high risk for complications of invasive angiography. A 64-slice CT may achieve the desired diagnostic accuracy, and overcome the limitations of spatial resolution, respiratory motion, artifacts from calcification and stents, and radiation dose considerations to produce reliable image quality. These advances, as well as the capacity for integrated functional cardiac assessment, may change the referral patterns in patients who have had previous bypass surgery or percutaneous intervention. This review outlines the debated issues about 64-slice cardiac CT in patients before and after coronary artery bypass surgery, as well as coronary stenting and functional assessment. A review of the recent literature on native coronary artery and bypass graft assessment by multi-slice CT is also performed.