Cardiac CT angiography beyond the coronary arteries: what radiologists need to know and why they need to know it

Abstract

Objective: With current state-of-the-art CT combining fast scanning times and high spatial resolution, anatomy beyond the coronary arteries is well visualized and may lead to discovery of abnormalities. The purpose of this article is to provide a strategy for radiologists to recognize important extracoronary cardiac CT angiography (CTA) findings.

Conclusion: A systemic approach to cardiac CTA by anatomic location and attention to key CT features are critical to identify and properly characterize important extracoronary cardiac abnormalities.

Keywords: cardiac CT angiography (CTA); cardiac mass; cardiac valve; pericardium.