Multi-Detector Computed Tomography for Assessing the Left Ventricular Function, Perfusion and Viability

MDCT has recently been used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate coronary artery stenosis and to detect coronary artery anomalies. The accuracy of MDCT has improved the assessment of stenosis as the number of detectors has increased. In addition to its excellent role in evaluating coronary artery stenosis, MDCT can provide information regarding the left ventricular function without having to perform additional scanning, and the myocardial viability of the left ventricle can be assessed on a delayed scan. MDCT has several disadvantages such as the amount of radiation exposure and the use of an iodine contrast medium, which might cause an adverse reaction, when combined with the reconstruction of the systolic and diastolic phases and the delayed scan. Yet MDCT may provide the opportunity to evaluate the coronary anatomy, the left ventricular function and the tissue characterization in one single imaging session that lasts less than 15 minutes. (Korean Circulation J 2007;37:191-195)