Coronary
artery calcium scoring (CT heart scan) is a highly
advanced, non-invasive test that uses a high-speed
CT scanner and computer software to detect and measure
calcium build-up in arteries that carry blood to
the heart. This build-up is also referred to as arteriosclerosis
or “hardening of the arteries.”
Based on an objective assessment of the size and
the density of calcified plaque in your arteries,
you will receive a calcium “score.” This score provides
a general indication of the degree to which your
coronary arteries have been narrowed. A high score
usually indicates a greater plaque load and an increased
risk of heart attack.
Sample Images
 |
This
image shows a clear
coronary artery |
This
image shows an artery with severe calcification.
Following an angiogram, the patient's artery
was found to be 85% blocked
|
Prevention is Key
Early detection of calcified plaque is imperative
to minimizing your risk of heart attack. The information
obtained from this scan can help your physician to
better manage your heart risk. Through treatment,
the calcification of your arteries can be slowed,
stopped and possibly reversed before artery blockage
results in severe heart-muscle damage.
The CT heart scan has been proven to be a better
predictor of coronary events than cholesterol screening
or other non-invasive tests (consult studies in our
PDF section). As reported in the Journal of the
American Medical Association, “There is now evidence
indicating that CT scans for calcium build-up in
the coronary arteries can play a significant role
in predicting cardiac deaths and facilitating the
most appropriate treatment decisions for millions
of people—including 40% of adults classified as ‘intermediate-risk’.”
Please note that no preparation is required for
this procedure. A CT heart scan is painless and takes
less than five minutes to perform (10 seconds of
actual scanning time).
Currently, this service is currently only available in Montreal.
For more information, please call us at 1 877-220-0220.
This procedure may be fully
or partially covered by your extended health insurance
policy. Please check directly with your health insurance
provider.
Supporting Research
"In this multi-ethnic cohort, addition of CACS to a prediction model based on
traditional risk factors significantly improved the classification of risk and
placed more individuals in the most extreme risk categories."
“By determination of coronary calcifications, patients at risk for future MI
and CD could be identified within an asymptomatic population independent of concomitant
risk factors. At the same time, future cardiovascular events could be excluded
in patients without coronary calcifications”.
MDCT has high diagnostic capacity for the early
evaluation of acute coronary syndrome, especially
in patients without a history of CAD or coronary
calcification.
Cardiology
2008
“The SHAPE Task Force strongly recommends screening
of the at-risk asymptomatic population (men 45-75
years of age and women 55-75 years of age) for subclinical
atherosclerosis to more accurately identify and treat
patients at high risk for acute ischemic events,
as well as to identify those at lower risk who may
be treated more conservatively.”
Screening
for Heart Attack Prevention and Education
(SHAPE)
Task Force Report
2006
“This large observational data series shows that
CAC provides independent incremental information
in addition to traditional risk factors in the prediction
of all-cause mortality.”
"The electron beam CT coronary calcium score
predicts CAD events independent of standard
risk factors, more accurately than standard risk
factors and CRP, and refines Framingham risk
stratification."
“Does the CAC score predict coronary events even
when standard CHD risk factors are taken into account?
The answer, at least among the populations represented
in these studies, is yes.”
“The data support
the hypothesis that a high CACS can significantly
modify predicted risk and thereby could alter clinical
decision making, especially for those in the intermediate-risk
category for whom decision making is most uncertain”
“In addition to risk
stratification for the asymptomatic person, patients
visualizing coronary artery calcium may improve utilization
and adherence to lipid-lowering therapy.”
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