Cardiac imaging is the techniques and procedures used to visualise the structure, function and blood flow within the heart. The purpose of diagnostic imaging is to diagnose, monitor and manage various cardiac conditions and helps healthcare professionals obtain detailed information about the heart’s health.
At Apex Radiology, cardiac imaging techniques include CT Calcium Scoring, CT Coronary Arteries and Myocardial Perfusion.
Coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) is a non-invasive test that estimates the amount of coronary artery plaque, by assessing the extent of coronary artery calcification using high-resolution CT scan. A high calcium score correlates with a moderate to high risk of a coronary event, or heart attack, within two to five years.
CACS has a high negative predictive value (up to 98%), which means if your calcium score is low then this correlates very well with you having a low risk of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery calcium scanning is not as useful in patients who have a low or very high risk, or in those with known coronary artery disease.
At Apex Radiology we routinely use CACS, at no additional charge, on each patient prior to CT coronary angiography to determine whether the coronary arteries are heavily calcified. If the calcium score is high, calcium may obscure the coronary arteries. The radiologist will review your CACS before staring CT coronary angiography.
CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) uses state of the art CT technology that is able to image a beating heart. This non-invasive examination makes visualisation of the coronary vessels possible and provides very useful diagnostic information for patients who are considered at high risk for coronary artery disease. Risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) include smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and a family history of CAD.
CTCA is a low risk, low radiation dose, non-invasive examination of the coronary arteries. It can accurately detect and grade stenoses or narrowing within the coronary arteries, as well as being able to demonstrate developmental anomalies of the coronary vessels.
At Apex Radiology we routinely use CACS, at no additional charge, on each patient prior to CT coronary angiography to determine whether the coronary arteries are heavily calcified. If the calcium score is high, calcium may obscure the coronary arteries. The radiologist will review your CACS before staring CT coronary angiography.
Myocardial perfusion imaging is a scan used to show how well blood is flowing through the heart, to determine if and where there may be any blockages to blood supply. Narrowed or blocked coronary arteries may lead to conditions like myocardial ischemia or even a heart attack. Nuclear cardiology imaging uses a small amount of radioactive material, known as radiotracer or radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and assess various heart conditions.
What is a radiotracer?
Radioactive tracers are made up of carrier molecules that are bonded tightly to a radioactive atom. These carrier molecules vary greatly depending on the purpose of the scan. Some tracers employ molecules that interact with a specific protein or sugar in the body and can even employ the patient’s own cells. These tracers give off particles that can be detected and turned into a picture to help find problems in organs or other structures.
How is a radiotracer administered?
A radiotracer is injected into the patient’s bloodstream usually given through an intravenous (IV) line placed in a vein. This radiotracer is usually a compound that is quickly taken up by the heart muscle in proportion to blood flow.
Is the use of a radiotracer safe?
Some people might be alarmed when they hear the word ‘radioactive,’ but the tracers used aren’t medicines and don’t have side effects. In addition, the level of radiation in this kind of test tends to be very low. There is a very small chance that you might be allergic to the tracer.
Apex Radiology
Head Office
U3, 290 Pinjarra Road
MANDURAH, WA 6210
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