Las técnicas de imagen en cardiología: la respuesta actual a los interrogantes de siempre

Abstract

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Tremendous advances have been made in non-invasive cardiology,  such as improved visualization of the anatomy and function of the  heart and better understanding of heart disease. Echocardiography  has improved in both simplicity and complexity, offering a range of  modalities from small, hand-held devices that provide basic information  simply and inexpensively to complex, dynamic three-dimensional  imaging of regional myocardial function.  

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging is the newest technique  for non-invasive cardiology. It assesses cardiac function, mass and  volume and can detect myocardial infarction, fibrosis, valvular and  congenital heart disease. Computed tomography is used to detect and  quantify coronary heart disease and coronary calcium, high scores  being related to increased risk, but its use remains controversial.  

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy single photon emission computed  tomography (SPECT) is cost effective in investigating patients with  suspected coronary disease and acute coronary syndrome. Also positron  emission tomography (PET) is useful in the study of perfusion,  metabolism, patients selection for revascularization, and in translational  research in transgenic animal models.  

Keywords

Echocardiography, Magnetic resonance, Computed tomography, Nuclear medicine