A comparison of echocardiographic and electron beam computed tomographic assessment of aortic valve area in patients with valvular aortic stenosis

Multidetector row computed tomography assessment of the native aortic and mitral valve: a call for routine assessment of left-sided heart valves during coronary computed tomography

Aortic valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation are the most common valvular heart diseases (VHD) in Western countries. In daily clinical practice, the diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of VHD is based on clinical findings and imaging. Transthoracic echocardiography is the preferred imaging technique for the initial evaluation of VHD. In patients with inconclusive transthoracic echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography can have additional diagnostic value. Cardiac multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) has proven to have diagnostic value in the evaluation of coronary artery disease in symptomatic patients with a low-to-intermediate pretest probability. The images acquired for coronary assessment also contain diagnostic information on heart valves. The purpose of this review was to discuss the diagnostic value of MDCT for the evaluation of left-sided VHD. We provide an overview of the literature comparing echocardiography and MDCT for VHD assessment focusing on aortic valve and mitral valve disease, and we present clinical recommendations.

Evaluation of cardiac valves using multidetector CT

Cardiac CT is an accurate and reasonable alternative modality for valvular imaging. It is used primarily for the evaluation of coronary artery disease; however, important information regarding valvular anatomy and function can be derived from CT. Calcification is a common CT finding in various valvular abnormalities and carries important diagnostic and prognostic value. In addition, valvular morphology, stenosis, and regurgitation also are detected on contrast enhanced scans, with good correlation with trans-thoracic echocardiography and other techniques.

Relation of aortic valve and coronary artery calcium in patients with chronic kidney disease to the stage and etiology of the renal disease

Patients with chronic renal failure have increased cardiac calcium loads. Previous studies have investigated the prevalence and quantitative extent of aortic valve calcium (AVC) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the impact of preexisting atherosclerosis on the calcification burden has not been clarified. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the effect of CKD stage as well as the primary cause of renal failure (atherosclerotic vs nonatherosclerotic) on AVC and CAC. Twenty-two, 13, and 28 patients with stage 3, 4, and 5 CKD, respectively, were included, of whom 24 had atherosclerotic CKD. Patients underwent electron-beam computed tomography to assess AVC and CAC. AVC was present in 27% of patients with stage 3 CKD, in 38% of patients with stage 4 CKD, and in 43% of patients with stage 5 CKD. CAC was present in 77% of patients with stage 3 CKD, in 54% of patients with stage 4 CKD, and in 64% of patients with stage 5 CKD. There was no correlation between CKD stage and the quantitative extent of AVC and CAC. AVC was more frequent (58% vs 23%, p <0.01) and more extensive (median score 43 [range 0 to 494] vs 0 [range 0 to 8], p <0.01) in patients with CKD caused by atherosclerotic renal disease than in patients with nonatherosclerotic causes of CKD. CAC was more frequent (83% vs 56%, p <0.05) and more extensive (median score 437 [range 61 to 1,565] vs 31 [range 0 to 155], p <0.001) in patients with atherosclerotic causes of CKD than in patients with CKD caused by nonatherosclerotic renal disease. In conclusion, the prevalence as well as the severity of AVC and CAC did not vary between patients with stage 3, 4, and 5 CKD. Cardiac calcification, both AVC and CAC, were more frequent and more severe in patients with atherosclerotic causes of renal failure. These results suggest that cardiac calcium is related to atherosclerotic burden rather than to the severity of CKD.

Noncoronary applications of cardiac multidetector row computed tomography

Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) has a high diagnostic accuracy to evaluate coronary artery stenoses. Additionally, the 4-dimensional aspect of cardiac MDCT allows a comprehensive evaluation of cardiac structure and function. Left ventricular volumes and systolic function can be accurately assessed with MDCT, and imaging of myocardial infarction is a promising application of cardiac MDCT. In addition, MDCT may provide anatomical visualization of heart valves. Also, evaluation of anatomy of the pulmonary veins and cardiac venous system render MDCT a valuable tool for the cardiologist performing electrophysiological procedures. In this article, the role of MDCT in the noninvasive evaluation of cardiac structure and function is discussed. An overview of the wide range of noncoronary applications of cardiac MDCT is provided, focusing on the assessment of left ventricular function, valvular heart disease, and cardiac venous anatomy.