Coronary Artery Screening: Heart CT Scan
and Calcium Scoring

The Heart CT Scan, or CT Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring, is a very sensitive exam to detect the presence of calcium and, thus, coronary artery disease at an early stage, before patients develop clinical manifestations of the disease such as chest pain and heart attack. The more calcium that is found, the more atherosclerotic disease there is in the coronary arteries.

Indications
SDI Radiologists value the appropriate use of medical testing. This test is not for everyone. But, if your patient is male, age 35-70, or female, age 40-70, with any of the following risk factors, the Heart CT Score may provide valuable information:

Family history of heart disease High cholesterol Smoking High blood pressure Diabetes Overweight

If there is a known history of coronary artery disease, this test may not be right for your patient. Stress testing, such as Cardiac SPECT, or angiography, whether conventional or CT angiography, may be a better approach.

Exam details
The test is performed without IV contrast, so there is no need for an IV or other needle stick. Four EKG sensors are placed on the chest. The patient is scanned supine in a single approximately 20 second breath hold. When it is determined that the images are satisfactory, the exam is over. The radiologist examines each of the images, carefully circling any areas of calcification. A computer calculates the quantity of calcium present. The radiologist then uses this number to give the test result a score.

Results
A detailed report of the scan and score, indicating the risk of significant coronary disease, will be sent to you. The test results are a useful guide to determining the proper course of treatment including diet, medication or further testing.

Appointment Scheduling
Your patient will need a script for CT Coronary Artery Scoring. Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring is performed on our high-speed EKG-gated multislice helical CT units at SDI Diagnostic Imaging in South Tampa and SDI Diagnostic Imaging in Oldsmar. Please call 353-XRAY to schedule.

References
Wexler L., Brundage B., Crouse J., Detrano, R. et al. Coronary artery calcification: pathophysiology, epidemiology, imaging methods, and clinical interpretations. A statement for health professionals from the American Heart Association. Circulation 1996; 94:1175-1192.

Rumberger JA, Brundage BH, Rader DJ, Kondos G. Electron beam computed tomographic coronary calcium scanning: a review and guidelines for use in asymptomatic persons. Mayo Clin. Proc. 1999; 74:243-252.

Carr J, Crouse J, Goff D, et al. Evaluation of Subsecond Gated Helical CT for Quantification of Coronary Artery Calcium and Comparison with Electron Beam CT. American Journal of Roentgenology 2000; 174:915-921.