Cine computerized tomography

Abstract

Ultrafast (Cine) CT scanning provides cross-sectional millisecond tomography, and therefore combines digital imaging and high resolution without the need for either cardiac catheterization or any form of ECG gating. Fifty millisecond multilevel scanning at rates of 17 scans per second allows quantitation of left ventricular (LV) function at each tomographic level during a cardiac cycle. Calculations of global and regional ejection fraction can be obtained, and in addition ultrafast CT also has the potential for providing unique data concerning regional wall thickening, mass and even regional myocardial perfusion. Interventional studies with exercise and pharmacological agents have commenced and are currently being evaluated.

Comparison of two-dimensional echocardiography and ultrafast cardiac computed tomography for evaluating intracardiac thrombi in cerebral ischemia.

“…In general, definition of struc- Loveetal 2DE/UFCCT for Cardiac Thrombi 1037 tures, including intracardiac masses, is facilitated with UFCCT due to tissue plane delineation and rapid acquisition time. 6 The ability of UFCCT to successfully image the cardiac apex and the atria in nearly all circumstances makes it a useful technique when these areas are not visualized by 2DE. However, the risks associated with contrast administration need to be considered.…”

“…5 However, several limitations of conventional CT have been identified. 6 Ultrafast (cine) cardiac computed tomography (UFCCT) is a more recently developed technique that uses a focused electron beam to rapidly acquire multilevel cardiac tomograms. Rapid acquisition minimizes image obscuration due to motion of the surrounding tissues.…”

“…Definition of structures, including intracardiac masses, is enhanced due to characterization of different tissue densities. 6 Since therapy in patients with presumed cardioembolic cerebral ischemia is often guided by determining if a thrombus is present, it is important to have a reliable cardiac imaging technique to identify such abnormalities. We compared 2DE and UFCCT in patients with suspected cardioembolic cerebral ischemia to determine if there was good 1034 Stroke Vol 21, No 7, July 1990 correlation between these two tests and to identify circumstances in which one technique was superior to the other for the detection of intracardiac thrombi.…”