Computed tomography. The technique and its use for the evaluation of cardiocirculatory anatomy and function.

Computed tomography, a promising new imaging technique, has not yet been widely applied to cardiac disease. There is, furthermore, very little experience with CT scanning for patients with congenital cardiovascular malformations. Nevertheless, early studies with this remarkable modality indicate great promise for future application at low levels of radiation--approximately 10 to 15 per cent that of a conventional angiogram. The feasibility studies so far performed should be considered in that context. Nevertheless, relatively slow, whole body CT scanners can contribute useful clinical diagnostic information in patients with heart disease. Cardiac CT scanning is presently limited, as were all other conventional x-ray techniques at first, by relatively long exposure times. CT scan technology has made dramatic strides during its short existence of one decade, and there is strong evidence that this trend will continue in conjunction with rapid advances in high technology.