Faster heart scans: Better diagnosis
Throughout the month of February, we will focus on cardiovascular disease. We're kicking off our observance of National Heart Month a day early with a look at exciting new technology that is enhancing heart care. Edwin van Beek, MD, UI Hospitals and Clinics radiologist and a professor of Radiology, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering with University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Care, has these comments:
What is this new technology called?
It's called CT Coronary Angiography. What it essentially means is we can use a CT scanner-it's a circular short tube where people lie on the bed and just move through the scanner-to look at the heart. The name reflects back to coronary angiography which is quite an intimidating procedure, I guess, because that means people going in with catheters and getting to your heart and we don't need any of that.
What are the benefits and when will it be used?
First of all the benefits are that you do not need any catheters; you do not need to come into the hospital for any duration of time. You can just walk in and have the scan and walk out. So that's a big benefit, it's completely, what we call, non-invasive. We use it with patients where there are symptoms that would normally lead cardiologists to grab the catheter and do heart catheterizations or where they were doing them just to be safe about coronary heart disease. Now, we have an alternative that is obviously a lot kinder to the patient, yet still gives us very important information.
How does the coronary CT benefit patients?
At University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, we work very closely within UI Heart and Vascular Center to bring various specialists together. So radiologists and cardiologists have the option to look at the coronary arteries, which is the main purpose of the scan, but also look at heart and lung function. So we will have a comprehensive view of the area.
Are there bonuses in using the Coronary CT that extend beyond the heart?
Yes, there are. And it just so happens that a lot of people who have coronary artery disease have risk factors to develop lung disease. We know that these things are often smoking related. Of course, if you're a smoker, then it means that there's a chance of developing lung disease, so we can pick all of these things up as a bonus, yes.
What makes this such a powerful tool in the right hands?
First of all, we have the ability to look at the vessels very comprehensively, so if we do a normal catheter, it's multiple projections, whereas now we can actually look inside the vessel and look both inside the lumen of the vessel and look at how much flow obstruction there is, as well as look on the outside of the vessel and look for other possible problems.
Where can our listeners find out more about this advanced technology?
There will be a seminar on Thursday, February 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Coralville, so people can register for that. If they want to register they can call 319-384-8442 or 800-777-8442 for both information and registration. |
