Cardiac Imaging Radiology
Cardiac imaging radiology involves specialized, non-invasive techniques used to visualize heart structure, function, and blood flow for diagnosing cardiovascular disease and evaluating heart failure, valvular disease, and myocardial viability.
Key Cardiac Imaging Modalities
- Echocardiography (Echo): Uses ultrasound to produce real-time, non-invasive images of heart valves, chambers, and blood motion.
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ECG (Electrocardiogram):
Measures the electrical activity of the heart to diagnose
arrhythmias, damage, and heart disease.
Types of ECG:
- Resting ECG: Done while lying down.
- Stress Test: Conducted while walking on a treadmill or riding a bike to evaluate heart activity under stress.
- Ambulatory (Holter) Monitor: Worn for 24–48 hours for continuous recording.
- Cardiac CT/CTA: Uses X-rays to create 3D images for detecting coronary artery disease, stenosis, and cardiac structural abnormalities. Includes coronary calcium scoring and contrast-enhanced CTA.
- Chest Radiography: A quick and common imaging tool used to assess heart size and shape changes.
- Carotid Ultrasound: Screens for plaque buildup in the neck arteries.
Key Uses of Cardiac Imaging
- Diagnose Disease: Identifies coronary heart disease, valve disease, heart failure, and structural heart defects.
- Evaluate Heart Attack Damage: Assesses the extent of damage following a cardiac event.
- Pre-Surgical Planning: Evaluates anatomy before heart surgery or structural procedures.
- Screening: Detects asymptomatic plaque buildup or structural abnormalities.