CT Coronary angiogram
A CT coronary anngiogram is a virtual coronary angiogram performed in a equipped radiology suite. This test is different to a formal coronary angiogram performed in hospital. A drip is placed in the arm and a specific CT scanner "reconstructs" the coronary arteries. It is used in patients with chest pain or shortness of breath at low or intermediate risk of coronary disease.
Advantages
1. Quick
2. Admission to hospital not required
3. If normal, then excludes obstructive coronary disease (except coronary spasm)
4. Excellent for excluding anomolous coronaries origins
5. Very good at assessing venous drainage
6. Low radiation dose in expert centres
Disadvantages
1. Requires a low resting heart rate and regular heart rhythm for optimal images
2. Difficult to perform in anxious patients
3. Heavy calcification makes it difficult to assess the severity of narrowings
4. Requires iodine contrast (caution in thyroid disease and kidney disease)
5. Not ideal for patients with significant renal impairment or severe contrast allergy
6. Narrowings cannot be fixed at the same time as with invasive coronary angiography
Commencing June 2022, I am reporting all my patients CT coronary angiograms if performed at i-med radiology at Hurstville/Miranda or Hurstville Private Hospital. These facilities provides the very best in CT coronary angiography.
Please note: CT performed at other locations can't be reported personally as I do not have access to the raw CT data. This means relying on a formal report from another cardiologist.
Cardiac MRI
A cardiac MRI scan is a MRI scan of the heart. It is a very valuable test used to assess the heart muscle from the outside in. It provides valuable information regarding many inherited diseases of the heart muscle.
This scan is also performed at medscan in Merrylands. It is not covered by medicare and costs approximately $400
Advantages
1. Very detailed images of the heart muscle.
2. Forms part of the diagnostic criteria of many heart muscle disorders or "cardiomyopathies"
Disadvantages
1. Incompatible with various metal implants
2. 4 week turnaround from scan to results