Review of Acute Actionable Cardiac Findings Detectable on Nongated CT

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.