Table 2.
Advantages and disadvantages of CMR and CCT in CHD
| CMR | CCT | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantages | Combined functional and morphological information | Fast acquisition |
| Accurate ventricular volumes and vessel flow quantification | Good temporal resolution | |
| No ionizing radiation | Limited artifacts due to movement and fast heart-rates | |
| High Temporal resolution (up to 30 ms) | Highly detailed information on vascular anatomy | |
| Non-contrast scan | Accurate delineation of coronary anomalies | |
| 3D images feasible and accurate | Functional data (retrospective ECG-gated scan) | |
| Accurate information on vascular anatomy | ||
| Detection of coronary anomalies | ||
| Disadvantages | Longer scan time (from 40 min on) | Radiation exposure |
| Suboptimal imaging in case of arrhythmias | Suboptimal imaging in case of arrhythmias | |
| More susceptible to respiratory artifacts | Iodinated contrast always needed | |
| Need for general anesthesia for non-cooperative pts | ||
| Limited access for metallic implants or claustrophobia | ||
| Gadolinium adverse events (NSF, Brain Deposits) | ||
| Temporal resolution | ~ 30 ms | 66–75 ms (DSCT) |
| 140–150 ms (single source CT) | ||
| Spatial resolution | ~ 0.9–1 mm (voxel size) | ~ 0.4 × 0.4 × 0.6 mm |
CCT cardiovascular computed tomography, CMR cardiovascular magnetic resonance, DSCT dual source computed tomography, NSF nephrogenic systemic fibrosis