Assessment of ventricular structure and function with multidetector CT and MRI.

Accurate, noninvasive assessment of ventricular function is fundamental to providing excellent care to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Three-dimensional imaging using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) permits the measurement of ventricular structure and function with such precision and accuracy that it now serves as the standard of reference for this purpose. Multidetector CT (MDCT) permits similar three-dimensional reconstruction and measurement of ventricular function. Available data indicate there is good agreement between MDCT and CMR measurements of ventricular function. Patients with cardiomyopathy and distorted ventricles stand to benefit the most from these techniques, particularly with the possibility of combined noninvasive angiography and systolic function assessment with MDCT.