Non-invasive visualization of coronary atherosclerosis: state-of-art

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2007 Mar;8(3):129-37. doi: 10.2459/01.JCM.0000260820.40145.a8.

Abstract

Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of death in the Western world. Non-invasive coronary artery imaging challenges any diagnostic modality because the coronary arteries are small and tortuous, whereas cardiac contraction and respiration cause motion artifacts. Therefore, non-invasive coronary imaging requires high spatial and temporal resolution. This review discusses the feasible applications in coronary imaging of magnetic resonance imaging and multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT), which are currently the only non-invasive diagnostic modalities for direct coronary atherosclerosis imaging. Particular attention and focus is devoted to the potential indications and clinical impact of MSCT due to its fast development and the robust results recently reported. MSCT of the coronary arteries is a promising imaging modality for the assessment of the coronary lumen and wall.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Angiography*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Artery Disease / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods