Myocardial Characterization with CT
摘要
The noninvasive characterization of myocardial tissue is a cornerstone in the diagnosis of cardiac disease and in prognostication. To date, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the imaging of choice for myocardial characterization with LGE and mapping techniques; however, in recent years, computed tomography (CT) is emerging as an attractive alternative to CMR, characterized by wider availability and the possibility to integrate fibrosis imaging to the angiographic evaluation of coronary arteries. In particular, CT can characterize focal and interstitial fibrosis with late iodine enhancement (LIECT) and extracellular volume quantification (ECVCT), respectively, resulting in feasible and effective scar detection regardless of transmurality and etiology, at the cost of lower contrast-to-noise ratio compared to CMR and higher radiation exposure. The clinical value of LIECT and ECVCT has been demonstrated in several clinical settings, as well as the prognostic implications. Deep knowledge of methodology is required for optimized scanning protocol and optimal image quality. This chapter summarizes the technical aspects of delayed scan acquisition and image post-processing through single-energy and dual-energy CT and illustrates the clinical role of LCE in the main clinical scenarios and potentialities of photon-counting detector CT.