CORONARY CT (COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY) AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS TECHNOLOGY?

As in the world, diseases that cause death from heart and vascular diseases are in the first place in our country. One of the most common causes of subsequent coronary heart diseases is narrowing or blockage of blood vessels that feed the heart due to the development of vascular stiffness. As a result of blockage or serious narrowing of the heart vessels, the heart muscle cannot get enough oxygen which may result in a heart attack. Inactive and stressful lifestyle, changes in nutritional habits have increased the incidence of coronary artery diseases in recent years. Smoking, irregular blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), diabetes, obesity, being 45 years old in men and 55 years old in women are among the risk factors.

Coronary angiography using “Computedized Tomography” (CT) has great importance in the prevention and early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. There is no doubt that "interventional classical coronary angiography" is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases. However, scientific data show that 20-25% of patients undergoing interventional coronary angiography have normal coronary arteries. The same scientific data shows that 70% of patients undergoing interventional angiography do not require any interventional therapy (stent application or Bypass surgery). Scientific studies comparing the new method "CT coronary angiography" with interventional classical coronary angiography give highly compatible results.

WHAT IS A CORONARY CT?

A computerized tomography (CT) coronary angiogram is an imaging test that looks and checks at the arteries that supply blood to the heart. CT is the first noninvasive imaging method that can show not only the vessel lumen, but also the vessel wall and perform plaque characterization. With Cardiac CT Angiography 64 or 128 Slice (Virtual Angio), you can have your heart vessels checked.

HOW IS A CORONARY CT DONE?

While imaging of the heart vessels is applied effortlessly, it does not require any preliminary preparation and laboratory tests. A contrast agent given from the vein which provides three-dimensional imaging, these images of the coronary vessels are taken from different angles in order to be evaluated. Specialist doctor checks whether there is a blocked or narrowed vein, if a blockage is detected, the treatment method is planned. While this three-dimensional imaging procedure can be done in seconds, the total processing time is completed within an average of 15 minutes, and the patients can easily continue their daily life after the examination.

WHO SHOULD HAVE A CARDIAC CT SCAN?

• All patients with high risk factors
• Those who are at risk of having a heart attack
• Known to have heart disease in the family
• Those who underwent coronary stents or underwent coronary bypass
• Stressed and sedentary lifestyle
• Those with unusual chest pain
• Those with congenital disorders in the vessels that supply the heart
• Those with questionable effort tests
• Men who are over 40 and women who are post-menopausal period
• Those with high cholesterol
• Those with high blood pressure and diabetes
• Obesity
• Smokers

IS CORONARY CT HARMFUL?

Detection of conditions such as coronary heart disease has become very easy today with coronary CT (virtual angio). Virtual angio is the tomographic visualization of the vessels with the contrast agent applied from the arm to the vessel.

Virtual angio procedure is a painless and fast procedure, and since there is no entry into the vein, the risk factor is minimized. The radiation rate that the contrast agent contains is far below the level that will pose a danger to human life.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF CORONARY CT?

The medical risk of virtual angio is very low. An allergic reaction may occur in the patient only because of the contrast agent, so if you are allergic reaction to the dye or medication, you should inform your doctor before the procedure.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE OF CORONARY CT FROM CLASSIC ANGIOGRAPHY?

Classical angiography is the imaging of the heart vessels through the arm or leg artery with contrast agent applied through the inserted catheter. With this method, the coronary artery disease can be diagnosed with almost 100% accuracy. It takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour including the preparation of the procedure. After the procedure, the patient is recommended to rest for 24 hours in the hospital or at home depending on the artery area used.

In virtual angiography, contrast material is applied directly from the arm vein and the vessels are displayed tomographically. The procedure is done in a very short time and if the coronary vessels are found to be normal, it provides a reliable diagnosis equivalent to classical angiography. The contrast agent applied in both methods is similar, however, the amount of radiation received during virtual angiography is generally less than classical angiography.

WHY CORONARY CT ANGIOGRAPHY?

CT Angiography is more comfortable for the patient in terms of hospitalization and bed rest. In addition, during the imaging of the heart vessels, aortic (abnormal enlargement conditions such as aneurysm), pulmonary artery lumens, lungs, liver and adrenal glands, and bone structures are evaluated.

NON-CORONARY USE

• Ventricular function
• Evaluation of myocardial viability and ischemia
• Pulmonary embolism
• Valve diseases
• Congenital heart diseases