Key result
Nongated CT identifies clinically relevant cardiac abnormalities in up to ~66% of scans.
Why the study?
Up to 66% of nongated CT scans have clinically relevant cardiac findings, and advances in CT resolution have increased opportunities to identify these abnormalities without ECG gating.
Nongated CT scans frequently reveal clinically relevant cardiac findings, highlighting the importance of radiologist familiarity with normal and pathologic cardiac anatomy.
Nongated CT may reveal incidental cardiac findings; review extends awareness for general radiologists but leaves open outcome impact.
Recent technologic advances have shortened CT scanning times and have improved temporal and spatial resolution, thereby increasing opportunities for general, noncardiothoracic, and emergency radiologists to identify and diagnose cardiac abnormalities without ECG gating. Familiarity with cardiac findings, including normal anatomy and pathologies, is beneficial given that up to 66% of nongated CT scans have clinically relevant findings, many of which are unexpected or incidental. In this Pictorial Essay, we provide an overview of normal cardiac anatomy, show examples of acute and nonacute cardiac conditions that are detectable on nongated CT, and share some pitfalls and follow-up recommendations.
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Galván et al. (2026) conducted a review in Cardiac abnormalities. Nongated CT was evaluated. Nongated CT scans can identify clinically relevant cardiac findings in up to 66% of cases, providing opportunities for radiologists to diagnose unexpected or incidental cardiac abnormalities.
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