Understanding the heart: CT and MRI for coronary heart disease.

Methods of noninvasive evaluation of coronary artery disease-including multidetector row computed tomography, electron beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear studies (single photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography)-are reviewed.

Visualization techniques in computed tomographic coronary angiography.

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans can produce enormous datasets (>3,000 images), making traditional axial image interpretation un-workable. Previously existing and new techniques including multiplanar reformats, volume rendering, maximum intensity projections, curved multiplanar reformats, and "4D" (time-resolved) methods have all been used to increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce interpretation times. The methods and applications of these techniques to cardiac anatomy will be reviewed and discussed with an eye toward practical film interpretation.

Effect of contrast concentration, tube potential and reconstruction kernels on MDCT evaluation of coronary stents: an in vitro study.

Introduction: To evaluate effect of different kVp, reconstruction kernels and contrast concentrations on stent luminal diameter measurements and luminal contrast attenuation values.

Methods: Two metallic coronary stents (2.75 mm and 3.