Clinical technologies are vital to the field of cardiology. In recent years, improvements in imaging modalities have helped cardiologists around the world observe various aspects of the heart in greater detail. We now have technology that enables us to see the beating heart, which allows us to provide the best possible care to patients. Here, we want to discuss a few of the cardiac details that can be observed with cardiac CT, or Computerized Tomography.
We usually associate calcium with healthy bones and teeth. However, your cardiologist may be interested in calcium, too. A “calcium score” is a measurement of how much calcium is in the arteries of the heart. The value of a calcium score is that it correlates with the amount of plaque may have formed without yet causing problems. This score may be used as one small indicator of heart attack risk. Cardiac CT is not usually performed merely to obtain a calcium score, though. This test may be performed to provide further information after symptoms, or other screenings indicate heart attack risk. In some instances, a patient who shows no symptoms but presents with other significant heart disease risk factors may undergo this non-invasive screening.
Atherosclerosis describes the narrowing of the arteries. Usually, narrowing indicates some type of buildup. Computerized Tomography enables us to better understand the cardiac function by observing whether or not accumulation has become obstructive and whether it is non-calcified or calcified, meaning hardened (this correlates with calcium score). Historically, observation of non-calcified plaques would require a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedure. Now, we can get a high-definition view of the heart without moving directly to that method.
Cardiovascular disease is a matter of the heart in more ways than one. It is important to us that patients receive the care they need to sustain lifelong health and wellness. Several objectives can be met with appropriate screenings and imaging. The development of cardiac computerized tomography demonstrates a significant step forward in patient outcomes because this imaging technology provides in-depth yet non-invasive observation of the heart at work.
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