  |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
WHAT IS CORONARY ARTERY SCANNING?
| 1. | What is Coronary Artery Scanning? |
Coronary Artery Scanning (CAS) uses Electron Beam Tomography and a simple protocol which permits imaging of the native vessels In a single breath-hold without any injection of contrast. CAS has the unique ability to detect and quantify minute amounts of calcified plaque in the major coronary arteries. CAS is the most sensitive, non-invasive method currently available to detect the presence and extent of early atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have concluded that coronary artery calcium is a marker for atherosclerosis, a condition recognized as the leading cause of coronary artery disease. While traditional risk factor tests can suggest a probability of atherosclerosis, they cannot determine whether the disease is, in fact, present. Thus, CAS is an important addition to traditional methods of coronary artery disease risk assessment. |
|
2. |
How accurate is the coronary artery scan? |
The negative predictive value of the Coronary Artery Scan is greater than 95%--the sensitivity is also about 95%. In other words, if there Is no calcium in your study then there is a 95% chance there is no significant blockage. |
|
3. |
What is a CT Scan? |
Computed Axial Tomography (CT) is an x-ray technique that uses a computer To construct a cross-sectional image of the body. |
|
4. |
What is Electron Beam Tomography? |
Electron Beam Tomography (EBT) is an outgrowth of Computed Tomography (CT) technology specifically developed to image fast enough to freeze the beating heart. Instead of a mechanically rotating x-ray tube, an electronically-steered and precisely focused beam of electrons is scanned around a tungsten target. The resultant collimated fan of x-ray photons is rotated to provide scans in 1/10 or 1/20 second, which is much faster than conventional CT scanners. |
|
5. |
Is the coronary artery scan an adequate substitute for an angiogram? |
A coronary artery scan is not a substitute for an angiogram. A coronary artery scan is used for the early detection of coronary artery disease while an angiogram is used to measure the amount of narrowing in the coronary arteries. Due to the invasiveness of angiography, the procedure is not used as a screening test for atherosclerosis. |
|
6. |
6. What is an angiogram? |
An angiogram is an x-ray picture of blood vessels or chambers of the heart that shows the course of a special fluid called a contrast medium or dye injected into the bloodstream. |
|
7. |
What is the difference between a CT and an MRI? |
While a CT scan uses x-ray, an MRI uses magnetic resonance. Both produce cross- sectional images of the body but only CT measures the density of the organs being scanned. |
