What is the difference between Coronary Calcium Scoring and CT Coronary Angiogram (2023)
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- Опубліковано 27 чер 2024
- CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring are both non-invasive imaging tests that provide valuable information about the coronary arteries, but they serve different purposes and have some key differences.
CTA is primarily used to evaluate the coronary arteries for the presence, and extent of narrowing (stenosis) caused by plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
CAC is used to assess the amount of calcified plaque (calcium) present in the coronary arteries. This information is used to determine the risk of a heart attack in future.
CTCA Involves injecting a contrast agent (iodine-based dye) into a vein, usually in the arm. The contrast agent enables us to visualize the coronary arteries more clearly.
CT coronary angiogram is mainly used for diagnosing and evaluating coronary artery blockages by utilizing contrast material, while coronary calcium scoring is a tool for assessing the risk of developing CAD. They provide different types of information, and the choice between them depends on the clinical context and the patient's specific needs.
This is, by far, the nest summary and explanation of these two tests.
Thank You!
Thank you
Simple to understand
And exactly how much a lay person need to know
Great
Thank you
Thank you for the great explanation on the differences between the two tests. Very helpful ‼️
Glad it was helpful!
That was very interesting indeed. Very well explained. Thank you for your time.
🙏🏻
Thank you, excellent presentation 💯💯💯💯💯
Glad it was helpful!
Given the CTCA takes a couple of minutes longer & provides the CAC score as well as the more detailed analysis I’m not sure I understand why any cardiologist would only request the PT CAC only.
Very good question. Also incur CAC + CTCA costs. Why don't just do CTCA and confirm on any blockage condition?
Hi, you raise a valid point that I have addressed in my blog post under the "frequently asked questions" section: heartcare.sydney/what-is-coronary-artery-calcium-score-and-when-is-it-indicated/
While CTCA provides more information, the most important reason for choosing a CAC score in certain cases is to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
We see many cases in practice where a CTCA was performed in asymptomatic patients, leading to severe anxiety or invasive treatments that were not needed, sometimes resulting in complications. In the past 20 years, there has been a significant shift in our understanding of "coronary blockages." The presence of a "blockage" does not always necessitate an intervention, especially in the absence of symptoms or specific characteristics. The preferred approach for treating ASYMPTOMATIC coronary disease is intensive medical therapy, and a healthy lifestyle and CAC score is just another tool in the box for the risk assessment.
Ultimately, the decision between a CAC score and CTCA should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the patient's individual risk factors, needs, and the clinician's judgment.
This notion that some blockages can be managed with medical therapy and do not need intervention sounds risky. Given the risk is person having a heart attack and potentially dieing. This is one of those things where over diagnosing and over treatment will be perfectly fine with me 😊
@@Desihealthpk
While the urge to over-diagnose and over-treat for 'peace of mind' is understandable, it's crucial to weigh the potentially severe and, at times, life-threatening risks associated with invasive procedures that are not uncommon in daily practice.
Numerous studies have shown that for many patients with stable coronary disease, optimal medical therapy and risk management are just as effective as interventions in preventing heart attacks.
What primarily prevents a heart attack is medical therapy and risk management, not just placing a stent, which addresses only one specific area in the coronary arteries and ignores the rest of the coronary anatomy. Stents are crucial when a severe blockage causes symptoms or is located in a critical area-situations where immediate intervention makes sense. However, for many people, managing the overall risk through medication and lifestyle changes is equally effective in preventing heart attacks without focusing on a single lesion.
Very useful information, Anyone can easily understand,Thank you
Thank you
Is the calcium scoring done by computer or by a human reading it?
In other words, will two
radiologists come up with the exact same score on a CAC test of the same patient?
Million dollar question
Also if done on 2 different scanners in 2 different hospitals then will the score be same?
fantastic breal down - TY
Is it common to have a higher CAC score vs CTCA? Example: my CAC was 240 but my CTCA score was 72?
Did you ever get an answer about your results. Best of luck to you.
@@dx398 my doctor said that the angiogram is more accurate and to go off of that. Not sure where the 240 came from but is alarming when you have 2 different numbers and apart by a lot.
The difference is significant and not normal.
CAC scores should be pretty much the same: Whether you get a CAC scan or a CTCA, and they're done on the same machine, the calcium score you get should be about the same. The way these scores are figured out follows a set plan, so the numbers from both scans should match up closely.
Small differences can happen: Things like how you're positioned, how well you hold your breath, or changes in your heart rate can make your CAC score vary a bit. These small changes usually don't make a big difference in figuring out your overall risk.
Different places might give slightly different scores: If you get your scans at different radiology centers, you might see a little difference in your CAC scores. This can be because of the different CT scanners, how the scans are done, or the software they use. But these differences should be pretty small.
@@heartcaresydney thanks for the response! Where I got my CAC was at a place called boardwalk. I then went to Baylor to get my CTCA. They were 2 different machines. Any suggestions? Should I have my Dr re-review both scans? He’s adamant that the Angiogram (both my Cariologist and Physician) that I want to go off the Angiogram scores. They were taken 2-3wks apart
@@arthurmaldonado7019 Certainly, they need to be reviewed again.
Thank you
You're welcome
Thanks for the clear explanation! I got a CAC score recently of 200. Should I now get a CT angiogram to determine if the are any blockages if I do not have any symptoms?
No, please refer to my blog post for a comprehensive answer at: heartcare.sydney/what-is-coronary-artery-calcium-score-and-when-is-it-indicated
So,if I have a calcium score of 1073 but no symptoms,I don't need a CT angiogram?I'm afraid if I exercise too hard I may have a heart attack,if my artery is near blocked.
You should go for CTCA to see the blockages.If you have no symptoms then probably no blockages.Also go for exercise stress test before starting any exercise.
When was your score of 1000 plus diagnosed?
are both safe for a vEDS patient?
Yes, they are just CT scans, one with contrast and the other without. They are safe as long as you do not have allergies to contrast material.
im going to get a angiogram tomorrow had a calsium score of 1270
Do you have any symptoms?
How are you doing now?
i had to get a stent@@Corkfish1
Hows your result on angiogram?
@@nomorenews i had %50 to %80 blockages needed to get a stent in 1 artery, i feel like a new man now