Computed tomographic examination of the heart.

Computed tomography (CT) has been demonstrated to be a valuable means of noninvasively imaging the cardiovascular system. In particular, necropsy studies and analysis of surgically excised specimens have indicated that CT represents the premier technique for measurement of pericardial thickness and a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis and staging of cardiac neoplasms. Although careful pathologic analysis has shown CT to be an accurate means of assessing the extent of experimental myocardial infarction, logistic considerations have thus far limited the routine use of CT in clinical practice. A variety of additional cardiovascular applications of CT, including evaluation of bypass graft patency, aortic dissection, and intracavitary thrombus, are currently under investigation.