What is cardiac imaging?

The term "cardiac imaging," also known as "cardiovascular imaging," refers to a broad range of techniques for obtaining images of your heart and surrounding tissue.

The main types of cardiac imaging are:

  • Echocardiogram (echo)
  • Cardiac computed tomography (CT)
  • Nuclear cardiac stress test
  • Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
  • Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET)
  • Coronary angiogram or left heart catheterization (“heart cath”)
  • Cardiac MRI
  • Multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan

Certain cardiac imaging techniques, such as a CT scan and a coronary angiography or a PET and CT scan, can be combined. To gain a better understanding of your heart health, your doctor may suggest a number of tests.

When is cardiac imaging performed?

Cardiovascular imaging is used by healthcare professionals for a variety of purposes, such as Screening for heart disorders to identify any issues early.

  • Recognize cardiac issues
  • Identify whether a heart attack happened and how much damage was done.
  • Determine the reason behind symptoms such as dyspnea and chest pain.
  • Monitor the heart to evaluate whether treatments are working.

The following heart problems can be diagnosed and treated with cardiac imaging:

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Congenital and pediatric cardiac disorders, such as anatomical anomalies
  • Heart valve disease
  • Heart lining disease, also known as pericardial disease

What is an echocardiogram?

Ultrasound, or high-frequency sound waves, is used in echocardiograms (echo) to create images. It creates videos of your heart's chambers, valves, walls, and blood vessels. A Doppler ultrasound heart exam can also be used to monitor blood flow within the heart chambers. A cardiac ultrasound is a way that may be used to evaluate the diploma of coronary heart failure and the coronary heart`s pumping capacity. Infections, blood clots, and holes with inside the coronary heart can all be detected with its assistance. Because it can offer a wealth of data without utilizing radiation or radioactive materials, cardiac experts often carry out this test.

What is cardiac computed tomography?

A CT scan of the heart combines many X-rays using a computer. As a result, your heart produces a variety of highly detailed images at various moments that can be quickly deciphered or pieced together to create three-dimensional images that show your heart and the surrounding structures from various perspectives.

Your doctor may suggest a CT scan to look for any structural problems or arterial clogs. If the results of the other tests don't give them enough information, they might also request this one. It can be used, say cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists, to map your heart and determine if a treatment or operation is appropriate for you.

What is a nuclear cardiac stress test?

A radioactive cloth called a tracer is utilized in a nuclear cardiac strain take a look at to illustrate blood go with the drift inside and across the coronary heart. Your doctor will use a specialized digital digicam to take pictures of your coronary heart after administering a tracer injection into your bloodstream. You take the take a look at twice: after running out and all through your relaxation period.

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is another term for the test-

Types of nuclear cardiac stress tests include:

  • Cardiac PET (positron emission tomography).
  • Cardiac SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography).

What is a cardiac PET scan?

Nuclear imaging tests also include PET scans. It makes use of a radioactive tracer, which your heart's sick parts absorb. Where the tracer was absorbed can then be determined by the PET camera.

Heart tissue metabolism is the main focus of a cardiac PET scan. In addition to being utilized in cardiac stress testing, it can identify scar tissue left over from a heart attack. Frequently, a CT scan is paired with a PET scan.

What is a cardiac SPECT scan?

A SPECT scan is a nuclear imaging test. It uses a radioactive tracer to show blood flow and the metabolic activity of heart tissue. The doctor injects the tracer into a vein, where it travels until it reaches your heart. Afterwards, the SPECT camera can be used to locate the absorption of the tracer.

What is a coronary angiogram?

Cardiac catheterization involves a special x-ray procedure called a coronary angiogram. Your doctor threads a long, thin tube called a catheter through an artery in your wrist or groin into your heart. Using the catheter, a doctor administers an infusion of bloodstream dye. The X-ray device then facts movies because the dye travels via the blood vessels that surround your coronary heart. The test`s purpose is to discover jammed or blocked arteries.

What is a cardiac MRI?

Instead of using radiation to examine your heart, a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) employs radio waves and magnets. MRIs produce extraordinarily certain images. It can show each thing of your coronary heart in extraordinary element and offer a specific evaluation of ways properly everyone is functioning. It can help in the identification of a number of illnesses by detecting heart damage such as inflammation or scar tissue.

What is a MUGA scan?

A MUGA test assesses how nicely your coronary heart`s ventricles, or decrease chambers, are working. Radionuclide ventriculography is some other time period for a test.

Your health practitioner injects a radioactive tracer right into a vein. A unique digital digicam that detects radiation is used to make a transferring photo of your beating coronary heart. A MUGA test takes snap shots at precise instances for the duration of every coronary heart beat.

The ejection fraction of your coronary heart (the quantity of blood your coronary heart pumps with every contraction) is decided through the check. This check may be used to decide how nicely your coronary heart pumps blood, even though medical doctors not often make use of it. The most common purpose for it is to evaluate ejection fraction at various points in time, such as during extended chemotherapy treatments or other drugs that may have adverse cardiac effects.

How do I prepare for cardiovascular imaging?

Your doctor will go over how to get ready for the tests that are special to you. Some examples of instructions are:

  • Avoid caffeine-containing foods, beverages, and drugs before stress tests and coronary angiography procedures.
  • Leave jewelry at home for cardiac MRIs and CT scans.
  • Take off any hearing aids, glasses, clips, and other objects that might contain metal before undergoing a cardiac MRI.
  • Put on relaxed, non-metallic apparel.
  • Be sure to tell your healthcare providers:
  • About all your medical conditions.
  • Every medication you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and recreational drugs.
  • If you have any implants in your body, such as rods, screws, mechanical valves, or pacemakers.
  • If there are any metal particles within your body
  • If you’re pregnant.

What are the risks of cardiac imaging?

Due to the minimally invasive or non-invasive nature of the procedures, cardiovascular imaging is safe. Allergic responses to the dye used in certain cardiac imaging procedures are rare.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Cardiac Imaging?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced cardiac imaging tests utilizing the latest technology for accurate results in Lucknow India. Our expert team ensures safe, quick, and detailed heart scans that aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. Trust us for quality care and reliable reports.

To seek an expert consultation for Cardiovascular Imaging in Lucknow, India.

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Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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