I had a CT angiogram for heart this week. Compared to a regular angiogram or catheterization , the CT angiogram can be considered a noninvasive procedure. However, in your dad's case the CT angiogram may also be considered risky because of kidney problems. His kidneys may not be able to deal with the dye used for CT angiogram. I am not a doctor so here I am just giving advice based on my on experience.
Thank you for your detailed response. You are obviously well versed in all the possibilities.
My CBC was perfect in April. My regular Dr is very thorough and I've never had a thyroid problem and only slight anemia when I was younger. I know the heart Dr immediately put me on the Coumadin (before all the testing) because of the reading from the Holter monitor and the possibility of blood clots. Same reason for the beta blocker.
Hi, I had a ct angiogram Dec 21 and my calcium score is 694. My cholesterol is 242. My doctor put me on crestor 10 mg per day. I just got the hard copy report today and my dr. is away for the holidays.... what does that score mean? I have chest pain frequently but they thought it was all in my head....
Many cardiologists seem to prefer angiogram. I've had both a ct angio and an angiogram and I didn't feel any difference between the two. I still had the same burning sensations from the dye etc in both procedures. I did look at the images from both scans and the angiogram shows everything in real time, actually working. You see the blood flowing, you see the heart pumping and you see the reactions of the arteries. With the ct angio all I saw was a set of still pictures.
You could ask for a ct angiogram if you are worried, which is basically a non invasive scan.
However, to answer your questions, the angiogram is very safe as far as invasive procedures go. The biggest risks are stroke and heart attack, but for this to happen the cardiologist would basically have to disturb a chunk of blockage material in the arteries with his catheter wire.
It isn't really about odds, are you the likely or unlikely odd?
A CT angiogram is more sensitive than a straight forward angiogram. They both rely on a radioactive substance being injected into your blood stream and it's this which the scanners pick up. If a CT angiogram doesn't reveal a vessel, then no way will an angiogram.
I had a vein that was closed after a bypass procedure and they looked for 30 minutes in a standard angiogram procedure to try and find it.
Not to be critical as I beleive Lutheran meant to say cath angiogram. Both cath or CT angiogram use contract dye to view perfusion, and that procedure is the definition of angiogram.
A CT scan 64/128 views the anatomy of the 4 main heart vessels and will show any soft plaque between the linings of the vessel as well as any plaque buildup in the lumen. The cath angiogram views the lumen for the plaque that narrows and obstructs blood flow causing angina (chest pain).
What is the difference between a CT angiogram and a heart catheritization. Which is better? I had a CTA of the aortic arch and neck. I've been having discomfort for weeks but the CTA was fine. I also have moderate mitral valve regurg which the doctor said does not need repairing. So I am confused as to what test give the best information for blockages,etc....
Also, you refer to process in discussion is a CT scan. It is a CT angiogram and involves the anatomy of vessels (cross section) and is as good as a cath angiogram and a CT scan (256 slice is 3D) is much more inclusive and can include respiratory system, the heart, aorta (ascending, arch, and descending), etc.
m worried if they actually do find something, then they have to radiate me again to do the angiogram. My cardiologist wanted me to go the route of the angiogram first rather than CT because he didn't want me exposed to high doses of radiation, and because if something was found, they could fix it right away.
Still super apprehensive. I feel like I want more information, but I don't want to waste any more time either.
the conclution was gold standard angiogram or the new 64 slice ct scan. im thinking of going for the 64 slice ct scan but in the past i remember my old cardiologist didnt like to order this test and said its not gold standard. ill be paying for this out of pocket and its more affordable than conventional angiogram.
I saw a new cardiologist at a different hospital and he thinks I should have a CT Angiogram.. A CT Angiogram is a none invasive procedure, it takes 3d pictures of the heart using a ct scane 64 slice method. The scane can pic up blocked blood flow and narrow blood vessels.. But I would like to know witch one of the two is more reliable test.. Considering I had a negative nuclear stress test.. Will the ct angiogram be a more persised test at pinpointing and finding a possible problem..
I have a history of high cholesterol and am currently on a cholesterol reducing medication as well as a medication to reduce blood pressure. I was offered several options as the next step and opted for a CT angiogram. Given my other results, should I have gone directly to the more conventional angiogram in spite of the slightly greater risk? If there is a good chance that I will need an angiogram anyway, am I not putting myself at risk by going through another step?
The CT scan is angioplasty and a cath angioplasty is unnecessary unless there is going to be a stent implant as a cath would only verify what the CT images show. The CT scan is more inclusive than a cath as it views the anatomy of the vessel, respiratory, aorta, etc. as well as the lumen...the cath only views the lumen unless there is ultra sound attached to the probe.
An echocardiogram would not show any ischemia...
I had a nuclear stress test that may have showed an issue in my right coronary artery. I have no angina and excellent exercise ability. My cardio suggested to get an angiogram to see if it really blocked or just a false positive. I'm scared of the angiogram. Isn't the new 64 slice CT scan just as good to detect blockages as the invasive angiogram?
Im scheduled for a ct angiogram for shortness of breath with dizzyness.i saw a differnet cardiologist for a second opinion and he feels its ideal because of the ongoing shortness of breath im experiencing with meals and excersis. In the past iv had three ct scans for other health reasons not heart related. my concerns are iv had three ct scans and this next one makes it four, The amount of just one ct scan is tolerated by the body but 4 ct scans sounds excesive to me and so im really concerned.
You had a CT angiogram and included is a separate procedure a calcium score. The CT angiogram views the channel (lumen) of the vessels for any hard plaque buildup that would cause a narrowing of the vessel for blood flow and if serious could cause symptoms of chest pain, etc. Soft plaque resides between the layers of the vessel
To add what others have said.
s suggested cause for your difficulties. My guess is that your right fermerol artery was used for the angiogram/stent procedure, and your left foot is discolored, so there should be no connection.
I've had discoloration of my feet for a number of years caused by vericous veins. My feet are numb from diabetes. I've got a lot of stents, but the discoloration came much earlier.
Just a comment about going for an angiogram....can you ask to do a high speed CT scan with contrast....this is a non-invasive procedure compared to an angiogram and except for a dye reaction certainly has less risk. Provided almost as much information as angiogram. The CT scan can also give you a calcium score which may be helpful.
Hi, a CT angiogram is noninvasive as compared to the traditional angiogram and is usually the preferred mode of investigation. CT angiograms will expose you to a small amount of radiation. If you have known coronary artery disease, a traditional coronary angiogram may be a better option, since you can also receive treatment for your artery blockages during a traditional coronary angiogram.
Recommended
