The Methodist Hospital System. Leading Medicine
The Methodist Hospital System. Leading Medicine

Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center

64 Slice Cardiac CT

Questions?

For specific questions about medical services offered at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, please call 713-790-3333 or find a Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center physician here.

The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center is proud to offer 64 slice cardiac CT, a revolutionary form of detailed scanning to diagnose conditions of the heart and blood vessels. 64 slice cardiac CT is an innovative alternative to invasive tests such as cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography. Cardiac CT is comfortable, noninvasive, detailed and rapidly completed.

Because of the speed of cardiac CT, patients are required to hold their breath for minimal periods of time, and the rapid scanning capability prevents distortion of the image from multiple heartbeats. The 64 slice CT scanner rotates around the body and quickly takes “slices” (cross-section images) of the heart, each of which covers slightly more than a half millimeter in width. These digital images are reassembled to form a highly detailed 3D picture of the entire chest cavity, including the heart, arteries, veins and aorta. Images are interpreted by level III imaging Cardiologists, physicians who are specially trained in examining visual data to diagnose cardiovascular conditions.

Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center - 64 Slice Cardiac CT

64 slice cardiac CT is often used for:

  • Determining the presence and levels of calcium in coronary arteries of patients with an intermediate Framingham Risk Score (a tool used to determine risk of heart problems)
  • Coronary artery disease significant enough to affect circulation
  • Patients who have had a stress ECG or stress myocardial perfusion study with inconclusive results
  • Stent or bypass grafts for coronary artery blockage and/or patency (openings which allow blood to flow improperly)
  • Physical defects of the heart, including masses
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Aortic dissection (a tear in the wall of the aorta) and blood clots in the lungs
  • Examining the lungs and heart before certain medical procedures for heart rhythm disorders

If you are in need of cardiovascular testing, Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center recommends that you talk with your physician about whether you might benefit from 64 slice CT scanning. To make an appointment after consulting with your personal physician, please call 713-DEBAKEY (713-332-2539).