Cross-sectional imaging appearances of cardiac aneurysms

Clin Radiol. 2010 May;65(5):349-57. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2010.02.002. Epub 2010 Mar 29.

Abstract

Cardiac aneurysms are an uncommon presentation of cardiac disease, but are important to identify and accurately characterise. Traditionally, these aneurysms have been investigated with plain radiography, angiography and echocardiography. With the significant recent technical improvements in cross-sectional cardiac imaging, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are now becoming established as the definitive investigations. This article reviews the spectrum of locations of cardiac aneurysms and their appearance with particular reference to CT and MRI. We describe the relative merits of each technique and discuss how they may be used to direct clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Coronary Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Heart Atria
  • Heart Septum
  • Heart Ventricles
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Prosthesis Failure
  • Sinus of Valsalva
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed