Computed Tomography of the Coronary Arteries

Fast computed tomography (CT) was introduced as a tool for non-invasive identification of coronary pathological findings in the early 1990s. Since then significant advances in CT technology have occurred, the most notable being the recent introduction of fast spiral CT coronary imaging. Non-invasive coronary imaging using spiral CT has emerged as a diagnostic tool that permits assessment of the coronary lumen and coronary plaques. Reliable non-invasive coronary imaging will revolutionize our current diagnosis and management of asymptomatic high-risk individuals and symptomatic patients with unknown or known coronary artery disease. CT coronary imaging is now already entering a phase of clinical acceptance and the rapid anticipated technical advances foster great hopes that non-invasive CT coronary imaging will become an alternative to conventional diagnostic coronary angiography. Most cardiologists and radiologists are not acquainted with CT coronary imaging. This has inspired the compilation of this book, which is the culmination of the collaborated effort of cardiologists and radiologists to draw up a practical CT book explaining the basic principles and applications of CT by use of many illustrations and tables and avoiding complicated technical details of CT imaging. This highly-illustrated book will serve its goal as a concise, quick reference for understanding and interpretation of CT-coronary imaging.