Valley Voice Newspaper

Tulare County - The statistics continue to show that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. However, there is revolutionary technology that is transforming the way cardiac and vascular disease is detected. Visalia Imaging, a medical radiology center, has the 64-slice CT scanner, which is providing stunning images of the heart. This CT scanner allows the capture of precise, motion-free images of the heart and coronary arteries to identify plaque (fat) buildup and narrowing in the arteries – the first indication of heart disease.

The initial screening tool, coronary artery calcium scoring, is a quick, inexpensive process that provides a significant amount of information. Any hard plaque or narrowing of the arteries can visibly be distinguished. The scan can be accomplished in less than five minutes. No preparation is required except to refrain from caffeine the morning of the study.

Recent medical journal studies have demonstrated this scoring scan is several times more effective at estimating an individual's risk for a major cardiac event than previous benchmarks such as elevated cholesterol. Those who should consider undergoing the scoring include those who:

1) Have high risk factors such as history of smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes
2) Have a family history of heart disease
3) Occasional feel chest pains, but have no other factors
4) Are men ages 45+ and women age 55+

• A score of 0 indicates less than 5% chance of having a coronary event in the next three years.
• A score > 0 shows that plaque is already present
• A score >100 indicates mild plaque and further studies are indicated.
• A score >400 indicates at least one area of significant blockage in the artery.

The secondary diagnostic study, Coronary CT Angiogram (CCTA), requires a heart rate (HR) of 60 or less for the best results. Patients are usually asked to have no caffeine for 24 hours prior to the study, and oral beta blockers are routinely given to reduce the HR. Patients over age 65 will need a prior blood test to check kidney function. An injection of contrast is given. Again, this test is quick and can be done in just 15 minutes. CCTA will show if both hard (calcified) and soft (non-calcified) plaque are present.

• Patients who have had heart bypass or stents can have a CCTA to check for clotted bypass grafts (narrowing) rather than the standard invasive procedure – heart catheterization. A doctor's order is not needed for the calcium scoring.

Brooke Mack is a Physician Liaison at Visalia Imaging, 1700 S. Court St., Suite A, Visalia, CA 93277. For more information, contact her at 734-5674, (800) 804-4682 or bmack@mineralking.com, or visit www.visaliaopenmri.com.

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