BACKGROUND: Previsualization of the cardiac venous system is very important for some techniques, for example, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to propose a new, user-friendly method of cardiac venous system visualization in 64-slice computed tomography (CT). METHODS: In 112 patients (66 M) aged 58 +/- 11 standard deviation, a 64-slice CT with a retrospective electrocardiogram gating was performed due to a suspicion of ischemic heart disease. Special attention was paid to the requirements for image reconstruction useful for CRT. RESULTS: In 74% of the patients, it was possible to obtain similar images to those during the CRT implantation procedure within anterior-posterior, left anterior oblique, and right anterior oblique views. The coronary sinus was clearly visible in all cases, the ostium measured 12.9 +/- 5.9 mm, and the angle of entrance 99 +/- 12 degrees. In all patients it was possible to demonstrate more than one vein; in 95%, at least one vein was clearly visible in the target area. Among the target veins, the posterolateral vein was visible most frequently (78%) in the cases as well as the lateral vein (78%). CONCLUSION: The proposed scheme in 64-slice computed tomography enables images to be generated similar to the intraoperative fluoroscopy, which can be useful in techniques where previsualization of the cardiac venous system is recommended.
BACKGROUND: Previsualization of the cardiac venous system is very important for some techniques, for example, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to propose a new, user-friendly method of cardiac venous system visualization in 64-slice computed tomography (CT). METHODS: In 112 patients (66 M) aged 58 +/- 11 standard deviation, a 64-slice CT with a retrospective electrocardiogram gating was performed due to a suspicion of ischemic heart disease. Special attention was paid to the requirements for image reconstruction useful for CRT. RESULTS: In 74% of the patients, it was possible to obtain similar images to those during the CRT implantation procedure within anterior-posterior, left anterior oblique, and right anterior oblique views. The coronary sinus was clearly visible in all cases, the ostium measured 12.9 +/- 5.9 mm, and the angle of entrance 99 +/- 12 degrees. In all patients it was possible to demonstrate more than one vein; in 95%, at least one vein was clearly visible in the target area. Among the target veins, the posterolateral vein was visible most frequently (78%) in the cases as well as the lateral vein (78%). CONCLUSION: The proposed scheme in 64-slice computed tomography enables images to be generated similar to the intraoperative fluoroscopy, which can be useful in techniques where previsualization of the cardiac venous system is recommended.