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Home | Diagnosis | Non-Invasive Diagnostic Procedures | Computed Tomography (CT)
Cardiac X-ray computed tomography (CT) (sometimes called computerized axial tomographic scan, CAT scan) provides cross-sectional images of the chest, including the heart and major blood vessels. This technique provides information useful in the evaluation of disease of the aorta, heart tumours and disease of the outer layer of the heart (the pericardium).
There are conventional, helical and electron-beam forms of this specialized technique. Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) is a particularly fast form of X-ray imaging, useful in evaluating bypass graft functioning, heart muscle mass, chamber volumes and pump function. EBCT can also measure calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. The amount of calcium in plaques is related to the amount of atherosclerosis and is helpful in predicting the risk of a first heart attack.