Book excerpt: The aims and scope of this atlas include a complete review of the embryology of the normal heart, the normal cardiac anatomy along with a complete discussion of the terms and definitions used to identify and clarify both normal and abnormal anatomy. In addition, techniques of cardiac CT angiography as it pertains to imaging congenital abnormalities are discussed including radiation concepts and radiation saving techniques. The bulk of this book then goes on to completely review the field of adult congenital heart disease using text and more importantly a multitude of pictorial examples (in color and grey scale) to demonstrate the abnormalities. Drawings accompany each picture to better explain the example. Furthermore, difficult and complex anatomical examples are supplemented with digital images and movies to aid in illustrating and understanding the anatomy. Each general set of anomalies as well as each specific abnormality or set of abnormalities includes a concise and simple review of the embryology and epidemiology of the abnormality as well as a concise explanation of the anatomy of the abnormality. In addition, the methods to identify and recognize the abnormality by computed tomography is discussed. Finally, the prognosis and common treatment options for the anomaly are addressed within this comprehensive book.