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CT Coronary Angiography: 256-Slice and 320-Detector Row Scanners

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Abstract

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has rapidly evolved from 4-detector row systems in 1998 to 256-slice and 320-detector row CT systems. With smaller detector element size and faster gantry rotation speed, spatial and temporal resolution of the 64-detector MDCT scanners have made coronary artery imaging a reliable clinical test. Wide-area coverage MDCT, such as the 256-slice and 320-detector row MDCT scanners, has enabled volumetric imaging of the entire heart free of stair-step artifacts at a single time point within one cardiac cycle. It is hoped that these improvements will be realized with greater diagnostic accuracy of CT coronary angiography. Such scanners hold promise in performing a rapid high quality “triple rule-out” test without high contrast load, improved myocardial perfusion imaging, and even four-dimensional CT subtraction angiography. These emerging technical advances and novel applications will continue to change the way we study coronary artery disease beyond detecting luminal stenosis.

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Disclosure

Dr. Frank Rybicki has received research grants from Toshiba Medical Systems and Bracco Diagnostics. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Radiology & Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Edward M. Hsiao, Frank J. Rybicki & Michael Steigner

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  1. Edward M. Hsiao
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  2. Frank J. Rybicki
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  3. Michael Steigner
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Correspondence to Frank J. Rybicki.

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Hsiao, E.M., Rybicki, F.J. & Steigner, M. CT Coronary Angiography: 256-Slice and 320-Detector Row Scanners. Curr Cardiol Rep 12, 68–75 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-009-0075-z

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