Specialist Services
Services & Facilities
  

Cardiac CT

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in Malaysia and many parts of the world. Early detection is important because 60-70% of heart attacks occur in the absence of significant coronary artery narrowing.

Until recently, Coronary Angiogram was the only method used to detect and assess the stenosis (narrowing) of your coronary arteries. This procedure involves injection of contrast medium directly into your coronary arteries through a long catheter, inserted into your body, before x-ray images are taken. This invasive x-ray examination requires hospitalization for at least a day.

Would you like to have your heart and coronary arteries checked non-invasively? If so, there is now an amazing revolutionary way of doing this.

Our latest 64-slice CT scanner, the Sensation Cardiac 64, produces 3D images of a beating heart and the coronary arteries in great detail. The scan can detect coronary artery stenosis and characterize plaque deposits. A few additional seconds of imaging will also provide the Calcium Score of your coronary arteries.
     

What Is A Calcium Score?
   
  Calcium Score is a screening method used to detect calcium build-up in the coronary arteries. Calcified plaques are evidence of coronary artery atherosclerosis and are considered to indicate the risk of future coronary disease (ischaemic heart disease and myocardial infarction).
   
What Does The Calcium Score Mean?
   
  Calcium Score is a screening test to detect calcified plaques in the coronary arteries. The Calcium Score may range from 0 representing no calcium detected, to more than 400, indicating the presence of significant calcium build-up. The likelihood of significant coronary artery disease is small (< 5%) if no calcified plaque ( 0 Score) is detected.

If a significant calcified plaque burden is detected, a more definitive test, such as Coronary Angiography may be needed to assess the presence of significant coronary artery disease.
   
Who will benefit from the Cardiac CT scan?
   
 
  • Patient with a typical chest pain
  • Patient with equivocal stress test
  • Asymptomatic patient with one or more of the following factors:
       ~ Smokers
       ~ High cholesterol level
       ~ Family history of heart disease
       ~ High blood pressure
       ~ Overweight
       ~ Diabetes mellitus
       ~ Sedentary lifestyle

The Cardiac CT is also useful to ascertain by-pass graft status, stent patency and coronary artery anomalies.

   
How is CT Cardiac done?
   
 

As the examination requires injection of contrast medium, our Radiology staff will go through with you a few questions to ensure that you are safe to undergo the examination.

In the Radiology Department,

     ~  You are required to change into a hospital gown and lie on the CT table.
         A locker will be provided for the safekeeping of your belongings.
     ~  A small cannula will be inserted into the vein in your arm and ECG leads will be placed over
         your chest by our experienced Staff Nurse.
     ~  Relax and make yourself comfortable, and do not move once you are positioned into the gantry.
     ~  The examination can only be carried out once the trace of your ECG is stable.

With the CT scanner (i.e. the x-ray tube, detector and other components in the gantry), rotating at the speed of 0.33-second per rotation, your entire heart will be scanned in a single breathhold of less than 15 seconds per acquisition, acquiring a volume of ECG gated data.

Post scanning, you may get changed. The cannula will be removed from your arm and you may resume your daily activities as usual.

   
Results of the Exam
   
  Our highly trained Radiology staff will use the powerful CT scan software to process and reconstruct the volume of data into the desired images, demonstrating your coronary arteries, your heart and tissues adjacent to your heart in great detail. The results will be delivered to your referring doctor who will review with you in your next appointment.
   
   
   
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  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Please contact:

Appointment & Enquiry Counter:
Telephone: (604)2388888 (Ext 8087/8088)
24 hours Emergency Hotline: (604)2266911
Email : lsc@lohguanlye.com