Introduction

Radiological evaluation of cardiac disease has undergone considerable development during the last two decades. Cine angiography provided the capability of depicting not only intracardiac morphology but in addition, assessment of cardiac contraction and valvular function. This diagnostic modality revolutionized cardiovascular diagnosis and provided a basis for new surgical treatment of heart disease. In conjunction with the development of echocardiography and isotope scanning, this has resulted in a much better understanding of the various diseases and the pathophysiological changes involved. With the development of modern interventional radiology, which is now also used extensively in heart disease (especially in angina pectoris), radiology has established an important role in the treatment, as well as diagnosis of heart disease.

Arnulf Skjennald and Charles B. Higgins