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MISCELLANEOUS
| 1. | Will my doctor know what a coronary artery scan is? | |
Since the procedure is relatively new, there is a chance that your doctor will not be fully trained on the use of this test for managing "seemingly healthy patients" who are developing heart disease. Your local Heartscan center can provide an Physician Information Package, including a paper from the Mayo Clinic Proceedings that presents the recommended guidelines for the use of this test. |
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2. |
Why is the coronary artery scan not available through my own hospital? MD? Why are there so few locations that have the coronary artery scan? |
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Currently, there are 60 domestic sites that use Electron Beam Tomography in addition to the Heartscan centers. But, with the increase in positive research and private funding the availability of this test is growing rapidly and is now available in most metropolitan areas in imaging centers, and wellness clinics.. Hospitals have traditionally not been involved in the screening of healthy patients, although the increasing public awareness of the importance of screening, early detection, and "wellness" may lead to a change in future years. |
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3. |
How new is the Coronary Artery Scan? |
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While Electron Beam Tomography technology has been available for about 15 years, coronary artery scans have been offered to HeartScan patients for only 4 years. In recent years hundreds of scientific papers have been published describing the results of a wide range of studies that define how the EBT Coronary Artery Scan can be used to detect and monitor the treatment of very early heart disease. To date, it is estimated that more than 600,000 Americans have benefited from this test. |
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4. |
How much does it cost? |
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The EBT Coronary Artery Scan costs $495. |
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5. |
How often does one need a Coronary Artery Scan? |
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It is dependent on your age and initial calcium score. For example, if you are over 60 years old and show 0 to mild coronary artery calcium, the likelihood of requiring a follow-up scan is low. However, if you are in your 40s with any coronary artery calcium (dependent on the amount) it may be suggested that you get a follow-up scan up to every 2-5 years. |
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6. |
I have mitral valve prolapse (or heart murmur). Is the test useful for me? |
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Since HeartScan focuses specifically on the early detection of the atherosclerotic process, the Coronary Artery Scan would not provide any useful information regarding mitral valve prolapse. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for any additional information. |
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7. |
Do you scan the whole body? Can you? |
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Heartscan centers currently offer a lung scan in addition to a Coronary Artery Scan for an extra charge. The primary purpose of the lung scan is to screen for lung cancer at an early, treatable stage. Some centers offer a whole body scan that includes the chest and abdomen. Check with your local Heartscan center. |
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8. |
Can Spiral CT scanners perform a Coronary Artery Scan? |
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Recently, the growing popularity and medical community acceptance of the EBT Coronary Artery Scan has stimulated the interest of the old-line medical industry that supplies the older generation mechanical CT scanners to hospital radiology departments. Modern EBT scanners are produced by Imatron Inc, and use an electronic scan to produce scan speeds 10X faster than mechanical CT scanners. Imatron is growing rapidly and gaining market share against the mechanical scanners. As a result, these manufacturers are claiming that their machines can also perform a Coronary Artery Scan. Indeed, although such machines have difficulty visualizing healthy coronary arteries in a beating heart, they can often can image severe calcification when it is present, and measure a "score". A few radiology centers have recently been offering this service to the public at a reduced price, to reflect the lower quality of the exam. This has resulted in a need to set standards for a Coronary Artery Scan, to protect patients. The Society of Atherosclerotic Imaging has formed a standardization sub-committee to publish standards and to certify CAS clinics. The Heartscan centers and almost all other EBT scanning centers, are already in compliance with the emerging SAI standards.
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