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..
COPD, interstitial lung disease, etc. have been ruled out through CT scans, Xrays and a triple lung wedge biopsy. Right heart catherization was normal with a pulmonary artery pressure of 25/10. Echocardiograms showed normal heart function, with 62% ejection fraction. A small shunt estimated at 5.15% was seen on a nuclear medicine study. However, even though bubble saline echocardiogram showed small shunt at rest, that shunt did not increase with exertion.
The above considerations should be taken into account before there is a decision. I had a CT scan 64-slice a couple of months ago. The scan produces images of the complete anatomy of vessels and this includes the area between the inner and outer layer (intima) of the vessel where soft plaque can develop and rupture through into the blood flowing channel forming a clot and the risk of a heart attack.
I had x-rays done, stethoscopes applied to my chest and back, EKG wires attatched, and I even had a CT angiogram done before in the ER, which I 90% trust (towards the end of the examination I had a very severe reaction to the iodine contrast). Is there anything else that they can check? They say my lungs are fine. Where could they have gone wrong, if they did?
I do struggle to hold a breath, and I'm horrible in keeping a deep breath for a long period of time.
I had a 64 slice corornary angiogram ct. It revealed a 100% blockage of my RCA with good collaterols - so my cardio is doing nothing. All the other arteries were clear. If I am not mistaken, the 64 slice ct also shows soft plaque, and a regular angiogram does NOT show that. Most heart attacks are caused by soft plaque. My calcium score in my LAD was 3 - all the rest were 0 - so I guess that gave me some piece of mind. It is much less invasive that a regluar angiogram.
Lung function is low. Signs of airway constriction due to low lung function and chest/rib cage tightness and weak respiratory muscles but no disease shown. SYMPTOMS: I CANNOT INHALE OR EXHALE PROPERLY/severe tightness from my Chest to down my upper abdomen around rib cage tightness and goes to my back and spine. Dizziness and sometimes feel faint. Symptoms are all day and night. They only get worse. I cannot do my normal activities due to this.
I started having heart palpitations/rapid rate about 5 months ago. My regular Dr had me wear a Holter monitor on May 10-11 and then referred me to a heart specialist. I have very low cholesterol/triglicerides, am a dailly walker and work out with weights 2-3 times a week. I am 5'4" and weigh 120. I had an echo cardiogram and it was good, but I took an echo stress test and they took me off the treadmill after 3 minutes because my heart rate was at 200.
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....
t just a few thin slices in a few parts of the lung. The scan definitely covered the whole lung down to the upper abdomen. Just doesn't use IV contrast
>Contrast-enhanced Chest CT Angiogram (12/22/16) = normal
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In short, no one knows what's going on and neither do I. Although I still feel the collarbone lump/node, no physician has actually felt it and therefore is not inclined to biopsy. Is there anywhere in this testing process that we would have missed something?
The CT scan indicates there is substanital soft plaque buildup within the linings of the vessels. A couple of years ago, my total CT score was/is over 1000 and that is supposed to indicate a high probability for a heart event within a year....waiting for the other shoe to drop!...no problems, feel fine.
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.
I have not had an angiogram, the doctors dont see a point. I have had 3 stress tests an echo stress test tons of ekgs xrays blood tests. It does comfort me that i passed so many stress tests, yet its scary to climb stairs and get chest pains or walk a block and get chest pains. Strange thing is, when i did get my stress tests i was in the same situation i am now, yet i was fine in the doctors office.
47 %107
Clinical interpretation,
spirometry/Flow Volume -normal
Lung volume/Normal
Histamine/Negative
Gas diffusion/ Moderate Reduction
Conclusion
Isolated Moderate Reduction in Diffusion
Normal lung CT, Normal lung x-ray, Cardiac/Pulmanary angiogram and doppler of legs showed no blood clots.Heart also appears normal. Physical exam normal. Normal echo.
I have mild/moderate hypertension controlled with beta blockers & atacnd.
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.
Oct 2009 Got severe flu type illness, completely bedridden for 7 days. Did not wake to drink, eat, or go to bathroom. Prior to illness I was able to swim and run 2 miles every morning. Since being ill have extreme shortness of breath, o2 at 77% at rest. I have been going to a pulmonary doctor since 6/2010. Lung issues have all been ruled out by CT Scan (3) hospitalization for extreme chest pain 12/2010.
Can you have a CT done every month? Of course not. A CT--even with the very slight risk of cancer--is safer than an angiogram. Angiograms are very safe, but not without risk.
The CT is noninvasive, and it would give you either information that you are developing heart disease, or it would give you piece of mind that you are not. Either answer would be useful to you.
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?
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.
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