This dissertation describes the use and clinical potential of ECG gated multislice
spiral computed tomography in patients with coronary artery disease. First the
use of other non invasive cardiac imaging, i.e. the previously mentioned
electron beam CT and magnetic resonance imaging is reviewed (chapter 2.1).
Part 3 contains studies related to the characteristics of multislice spiral CT for
the imaging of the heart and coronary arteries, and the diagnostic potential of
ECG gated spiral CT coronary angiography to detect and visualize obstructive
coronary artery disease in symptomatic patients, using conventional coronary
angiography as the standard of reference. Part 4 is focussed on the feasibility
and characteristics of coronary wall imaging by CT, including the assessment of
non calcified atherosclerotic plaque material. The usefulness of
contrast enhanced multislice spiral CT in symptomatic patients who previously
underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary
intervention with stent implantation is discussed in part 5. Finally, the first results with the latest generation 16 slice computed tomography scanners and
patient preparation with ~ receptor blockers are described in part 6, including a
review and future outlook on the continuing development and clinical use of
non invasive coronary angiography with spiral computed tomography
