Computed tomography for the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in pediatric and adult patients

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2005 Apr-Jun;21(2-3):347-65; discussion 367. doi: 10.1007/s10554-004-4015-0.

Abstract

The development of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) has increased the clinical use of cardiac CT imaging in patients with congenital heart disease. Multi-slice CT has the advantages of fast scan speed; high spatial resolution, enabling the acquisition of isotropic volume data; and simultaneous evaluation of airways and lung parenchyma, thus increasing the ability to answer most clinical questions about structural abnormalities in patients with congenital heart disease. When coupled with electrocardiography-gating, multi-slice spiral CT can be used in functional evaluations, including ventricular wall motion, ventricular ejection fraction, and motion of cardiac valves, as well as enabling the performance of high-quality coronary CT angiography. In this article, we review imaging techniques of multi-slice spiral CT and imaging findings in pediatric and adult patients with various congenital heart diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*