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Cardiac Anatomy and Morphology
From the assessment of congenital heart disease to the visualization of atherosclerotic coronary plaques or myocarditis: imaging cardiac and vascular anatomy as well as morphology is required in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Several new imaging modalities have emerged over the last decades and years which provide the physician with new insights and increase diagnostic confidence.
Echocardiography
As one of the major tools in cardiology, echocardiography provides fast and comprehensive cardiac imaging at low cost: Today, transthoracic, transesophageal and intracardiac echocardiography not only help in diagnosing cardiovascular disease but also in guiding treatment e.g. in patients undergoing AF ablation by enabling accurate positioning of ablation catheters. The introduction of full-volume imaging with the Acuson SC2000 will change the standard of care in echocardiography.
Echocardiography
Card Angiography
Still the gold standard for visualizing coronary anatomy, x-ray coronary angiography is the basis for percutaneous interventions or surgical therapy. With new tools such as syngo DynaCT, cross-sectional and 3D imaging enters the cath lab, providing soft tissue images that enhance existing procedures and making new indications possible.
Card Angiography
Cardiac Molecular Imaging
Apart from established indications, nuclear cardiology and molecular imaging with higher resolution and highly specific tracers can help clinicians and researchers to support novel approaches such as stem cell therapy and plaque imaging. Hybrid solutions such as SPECT•CT and PET•CT enable a fast and accurate evaluation of myocardial perfusion and viability as well as coronary morphology.
Cardiac Molecular Imaging
Cardiovascular CT
Known for its high diagnostic accuracy for ruling out coronary artery disease, CCT now offers new possibilities for visualizing coronary arteries and plaques with Dual Energy. From image acquisition to post-processing – CCT provides push-button functionality for maximum ease of use. But even further, with SOMATOM Definition Flash, CCT can now be performed with very low radiation exposure and without the need for heart-rate lowering medication.
Cardiovascular CT
Cardiovascular MR
2D, 3D and 4D CMR provides high tissue contrast with high spatial resolution in all dimensions. As a modality free of ionizing radiation, it allows for comprehensive anatomical and morphological assessment in routine and complex cases. Myocardial scar, edema, fatty degeneration and perfusion deficits can be visualized with high diagnostic accuracy making MR a versatile tool in clinical routine. Today, parallel imaging technology powered by Tim® enables very fast imaging of the heart with high spatial resolution in one breath-hold or even in free-breathing scenarios. Cardiovascular MR
Publications of clinical experts:
1) ACCF/ACR/SCCT/SCMR/ASNC/NASCI/SCAI/SIR 2006, J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006 Oct 3;48(7):1475-97
2) Vanhoenacker et al., Radiology 2007;244:419-428
3) Working Group Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac CT of the ESC and the ECNC, European Heart Journal 2008 29(4):531-556
4) Goldstein JA et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007;49(8):863-71
5) Leschka S. et al., Eur Radiol. 2008 Apr 8. [Epub ahead of print]
6) Bastarrikka G. et al. AJR 2008; 191: 448-454
7) Liu X, Zhao X, Huang J, Francois CJ, Tuite D, Bi X, Li D, Carr JC. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007 Dec;189(6):1326-32.
