Cardiomyopathy and cardiac computed tomography: what the radiologist needs to know.

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is an established tool for the investigation of shortness of breath and chest pain. Although CCTA is performed to assess vessels that could well be diseased, one must review the study for evidence of cardiomyopathy, which can provoke similar symptoms. Cardiomyopathies can coexist with various causes of chest pain including obstructive coronary artery disease and may, therefore, be identifiable at CCTA. Furthermore, symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain that the clinician may suspect are secondary to coronary disease leading to investigation with CCTA, may be secondary to cardiomyopathy. We review several important causes of cardiomyopathy that may be detected by CCTA, which are important for radiologists to identify given the implications for further management and prognosis.
(Copyright © 2012 The Royal College of Radiologists. All rights reserved.)