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(860) 489-7314
220 Kennedy Drive
Torrington CT 06790
CT SCANS
Coronary artery calcification scoring is a pain free, non-invasive procedure that requires less than ten minutes. The multi-detector CT scanner takes 120 images of your coronary arteries without any injections, needles or catheters. Four EKG electrodes are placed on your chest to obtain images while your heart appears motionless. The amount of calcium or plaque detected in your coronary arteries is then used to establish your cardiac score.
Family History of Heart Disease
Smoking
High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Overweight
Diabetes
Sedentary Lifestyle
Very early warning signs of heart disease can be detected with cardiac scoring. This is the latest tool available to detect plaque in the coronary arteries. There are five categories for calcium scores:
A Score of 0 – No coronary artery disease
A score of 1-11 – Indicates a minimal risk of coronary artery disease
A score of 11-100 – Indicates a mild degree atherosclerotic, plaque burden
A score of 101-400 – Indicates a moderate atherosclerotic plaque burden
A score greater than 400 – Indicates an extensive atherosclerotic plaque burden
In addition to the total score, a percentile for age and gender is calculated. If the score >75th percentile for a patient’s age/gender, then the physician will advance to recommendations for next higher calcium score range. With this information, you and your physician can formulate the appropriate treatment, which could include diet and life style changes, medications, and/or further testing.
Yes. Prevention, early detection, and early intervention are critical and can save many lives. Coronary artery atherosclerosis can be slowed, stabilized, and in some cases reversed through aggressive life-style modification and also through medical therapies under the supervision of a physician.
Coronary Calcium scoring is not for everyone. In general, it is most appropriate for men and women, age 40-70, who have one additional risk factor. It is not for people with already known coronary heart disease, arrhythmia’s, or previous heart surgery. The scan could be the first step in preventing a major or fatal cardiac event. The American Heart Association now recommends the heart scan for low risk asymptomatic patients with a family history of premature heart disease or in asymptomatic intermediate risk patients.
No caffeine is allowed for 12 hours prior to your exam.
Yes. Radiation exposure is minimal. In fact, with prospective cardiac gating, the amount of radiation received is less than natural background radiation. No needles, injections, or sedations are used.
After completion of the test, a Board Certified Radiologist will analyze the images and calcification scores. Your ordering physician will be provided with a report containing results and recommendations within 24 hours., if you so choose. Advanced Medical Imaging strongly encourages you to review these results with their primary care physician to formulate a complete preventive plan.
No. Currently, the heart scan is not covered by insurance. The out-of-pocket cost is $150.00. Many clients utilize their health care flexible medical spending accounts or medical savings plans to pay for their evaluation.
Yes, a doctor’s order is required for all radiology exams.
A new observational study shows coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression predicts mortality independently of other cardiac risk factors in people with detectable CAC at baseline. “The more calcium progression, the more therapy the person needs,” said Dr. Matthew Budoff, a researcher at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute in Torrance, California. His team’s findings appeared online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging.
A new study suggests that CT-based coronary artery calcium scans might be able to ferret out which patients with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high levels of c-reactive protein need treatment with statins.
Ten-year outcomes data from the Rotterdam coronary artery calcium (CAC) study underscore the prognostic power of adding CAC to a traditional risk stratification method. New results in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology show that CAC scores frequently change the risk category for future coronary events in asymptomatic individuals. CAC was particularly effective in altering the risk scores for those at intermediate risk, wrote Suzette Elias-Smale, MD, from Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, along with colleagues from Rotterdam; Groningen, the Netherlands; and Basel, Switzerland (JACC, October 19, 2010, Vol. 56:17, pp. 1408-1414).
Adding the coronary artery calcium score (CAC) to traditional Framingham risk factors doesn’t help predict which healthy lower-risk men will develop coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new report. This was published online May 20 in the American Journal of Cardiology, suggests that CAC may not be useful for asymptomatic lower-risk men who score below 5% on the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).
A normal coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan in middle-age appears to have a “warranty period” of about four years, during which the patient is unlikely to develop coronary calcium. As first author Dr. James K. Min, from Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, and his colleagues point out in the March 16 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, little is known about the timing of CAC conversion and factors that affect progression.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Advanced Medical Imaging at 860-489-7314
Advanced Medical Imaging offers this advanced CT scan to detect early lung cancers. Not all lung cancers will be detected with low dose CT screening and a negative scan today does not mean that a cancer will not develop in the future. CT lung cancer screening is not a substitute for smoking cessation.
Low dose CT scanning of the lungs can greatly improve the detection of small and potentially curable early stage lung cancers according to the ELCAP Study (Early Lung Cancer Action Project) by lead investigator Dr Claudia Henschke.
Low-dose computerized tomography or CT lung scan is able to detect earlier stages of lung cancer than a standard chest X-ray, significantly cutting deaths from the disease, the National Cancer Institute announced on 11/2010. The NCI’s study enrolled 53,000 current and past smokers who were screened annually for three years by either CT scan or conventional chest X-rays and found those who were screened by a CT scan were 20 percent less likely to die from lung cancer. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/ct-scans-catch-lung-cancer-earlier-rays-nci/story?id=12055874
The CT lung scan is not for everyone. There is a particular criteria you must meet, please ask your physician if you qualify.
Yes. Radiation exposure is minimal. No needles, injections, or sedations are used.
After test completion, a Board Certified Radiologist will review your images. A report containing findings and recommendations will be sent to your ordering physician within 24 hours , if you so choose. We encourage you to review the results of the exam with your primary care physician.
It may not be covered for everyone. We suggest you call your insurance provider to confirm coverage.
Yes, we encourage you to discuss this with your physician to see if you meet the qualifications.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Advanced Medical Imaging at 860-489-7314
Advanced Medical Imaging offers Virtual Colonoscopy which utilizes our state of the art multi-slice CT technology to examine the colon to detect cancers or precancerous polyps. CT Colonoscopy requires the placement of a small flexible tube into the rectum. Carbon dioxide is then passed though the tube to expand the folds of the colon. You may experience a mild temporary discomfort, but should not feel any pain.
The padded table will move through the scanner as the CT tube rotates around you. Depending on the reason for the study, you may receive an intravenous injection of “contrast” material. We recommend for this exam to wear loose fitting clothes, you will be asked to put on a patient gown.
We will ask you to remain as still as possible, and to hold your breath for up to 25 seconds. The exam will take approximately 30 minutes. At the conclusion of the exam you will be able to drive yourself home.
Virtual colonoscopy is recommended for both men and women over age 40 with a family history of colorectal cancer and for anyone over age 50 regardless of risk factors. The best candidates for Virtual Colonoscopy are those who have had an incomplete colonoscopy, low-to-average risk patients who prefer not to have a colonoscopy, frail patients and patients who are unable to tolerate a colonoscopy. It is not for people with known colon cancer, colon cancer symptoms, or previously removed colon polyps.
No sedation is needed. (patients can drive to and from work/home after the procedure. You will be expelling the gas used to distend your colon over the next few hours.) Colorectal cancer screening compliance can significantly lower risk of colon cancer.
The appointment time is approximately 30 minutes, with each of the two image sets are acquired in 30 seconds or less. One set on your back and the second on your stomach.
A few days before your procedure you need to pick up your prep kit with instructions prior to the exam at our 220 Kennedy drive location. When you arrive one of our CT Scan staff will review the instructions with you. As with colonoscopy, adequate preparation impacts exam quality. You will also be given a barium substance designed to label any residual stool to help our doctors differentiate polyps from stool.
Yes. Radiation exposure is minimal. No needles, injections, or sedations are used.
No. CT Colonography is currently not covered by most insurance carriers. Checking with your insurance carrier is recommended. The current procedure code is 74263, and should be referenced to determine if the procedure is a covered benefit. If you are concerned about coverage call your insurance carrier, the number is on the back of your insurance card.
Yes. We strongly urge patients to discuss this study with their primary care physician.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Advanced Medical Imaging at 860-489-7314
Computerized Axial Tomography, sometimes referred to as a CAT Scan or CT Scan, is a patient-friendly exam that involves little radiation exposure while producing detailed imaging of the body. CAT scans can be performed on all body parts, most commonly on the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis. Once a scan is completed, one of our board-certified Radiologists interprets the findings and reports back to your ordering provider. With exams that require immediate attention, our Radiologist will contact your physician or representatives to relay urgent results.
Preparing for a CT scan involves a few simple steps to ensure accurate results and a comfortable experience. Here’s a guide you can use:
Consult Your Doctor: Before scheduling a CT scan, consult your doctor to discuss the necessity of the procedure, any risks involved, and any special preparations needed based on your health condition.
Inform About Medications: Inform your healthcare provider about any medications you are currently taking, especially if you have any allergies or if you take medications that affect blood clotting. Please make sure you also inform the CT Technologist who is performing your exam.
Contrast Material: If your CT scan requires contrast material (a substance that makes certain tissues or blood vessels more visible), the office will provide instructions on when and how to take it. It’s essential to follow these instructions carefully for the best imaging results.
Clothing and Jewelry: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without any metal zippers or buttons. You may be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, or any metal objects that could interfere with the scan.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water before the scan, unless instructed otherwise by the office. Staying hydrated can help your body process the contrast material more effectively.
Arrive on Time: Arrive at the imaging facility 20 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork and to allow time for check-in procedures.
Relaxation Techniques: If you feel anxious about the procedure, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization to help you stay calm during the scan.
Follow Post-Scan Instructions: After the CT scan, your doctor may provide specific instructions depending on the results and your health condition. Follow these instructions carefully, whether it involves resuming normal activities, additional tests, or follow-up appointments.
Stay Informed: If you have any questions or concerns about the CT scan or its preparation, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider. It’s essential to be well-informed and comfortable with the procedure.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you are adequately prepared for your CT scan, facilitating a smooth and successful imaging process.
During the study, you will be asked to lie on a table that rides on a track through the scanner. The table will move in short steps through the scanner as the CT tube rotates around you. The information is processed by the computer and displayed as images to the technologist.
Please remain as still as possible to produce the best images. Depending upon the procedure being performed, you may be asked to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds. Most CT scan exams require 30 minutes from registration to completion.
Rarely, some patients may have an allergic reaction to the contrast. Patients who are allergic to the contrast may experience itching, sneezing, wheezing, swelling or other allergic symptoms, if you are allergic or become allergic inform your referring provider. If you are allergic to CT Scan IV contrast but must be given the contrast medium for diagnosis, your physician may choose to pre-medicate you with steroids or other drugs. Anyone experiencing such a reaction will be treated before being released to go home. In rare cases, the contrast medium can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction in which the tissues of the airway become swollen enough to restrict breathing. In such cases, emergency treatment is immediately given. Please inform us if you know or think you are allergic to CT scan contrast.
Patients who have diabetes or renal disease require special care. These patients should consult with their physician about proper scheduling of the CT scan.
All patients receiving either oral or IV contrast should drink extra fluids the following few days to help flush the contrast from your body. IV contrast is clear and is excreted as regular urine. The oral contrast is white to off white and might have a mild laxative effect.