Current status and clinical applications of cardiac multidetector computed tomography.

Contrast-enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) is now capable of providing high-quality noninvasive views of cardiac anatomy and 'instant' noninvasive coronary angiography. With current generation 64-slice scanners, MDCT can be performed in most patients with minimal patient discomfort and high diagnostic accuracy. MDCT may obviate the need for invasive diagnostic angiography in patients with borderline symptoms or equivocal noninvasive testing. It is useful in assessing the symptomatic patient postrevascularization and in emergency room triage in selected patients with chest pain. Calcified vessels are still difficult to assess, as is the accurate evaluation of implanted coronary stents. The volume of contrast material required for proper opacification limits the use of MDCT in patients with renal dysfunction, but newer emerging technologies will greatly improve these disadvantages in the near future. MDCT is expected to become an integral part of our diagnostic armamentarium in the cardiac patient.