Computed tomographic angiography coming of age.

C tomographic angiography (CTA) of the coronary arteries is in its relative infancy. Newergeneration electron beam computed tomography and the rapid development of multidetector ( 64 slices) computed tomography (MDCT) with increased spatial resolution (0.33 mm) and temporal resolution (50 to 100 ms with multisegment reconstruction), shorter breathhold (5 to 12 seconds), and less contrast (60 to 100 ml) will lead to a major paradigm shift that will affect many areas of cardiovascular medicine. This editorial explores its potential applications.