Quantitative Analysis in Cardiovascular Imaging: Current Status

The purpose of quantitative evaluation of cardiac images is to acquire more objective, accurate, and delicate numeric data than from the results of qualitative observation. By quantitative analysis, the prediction of cardiovascular risk and the depiction of subtle changes have become more reliable. Until cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were introduced 10 years ago, echocardiography had been traditionally used for cardiac morphology imaging. Based on technical advancements, cardiovascular CT and MRI started to be used for quantitative evaluation of cardiovascular structures. In this article, quantitative evaluation techniques in cardiovascular imaging will be discussed with an emphasis on CT and MRI.