Cardiovascular diseases have become one of the main reasons of death in the world. In several countries, according to data from the Ministry of Health, they are the first cause of death among the population. Computed tomography equipment can help doctors establish an early diagnosis to prevent circulatory system pathologies.
What is a CT scan?
A CT scan is a procedure that uses an x-ray source that revolves around a circular structure called Gantry. Each time a complete rotation is performed, a computer constructs a 2D image cut, repeating the process until the desired number of cuts is obtained. In each image cut, the thickness of the tissue to be checked is represented; this thickness can vary between less than 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters depending on the type of equipment used.
The images can rotate in space or see the cuts successively, generating a 3D image showing the skeleton, organs, and tissues of the patient simultaneously. Thanks to this, it will be more precise to locate the point where any anomaly is occurring.
CT scans are used to detect tumors, infections, fractures, hemorrhages, among other pathologies. Despite its versatility in clinical diagnosis, its use should be limited since exposure to X-rays is high (although it does not leave remains in the body after the end of the test). Special care must be taken with children, who are more sensitive to ionizing radiation.
Contrast for a CT
In soft tissues, the ability to retain radiation is variable and, therefore, more complicated to visualize inside. Therefore, contrast media have been developed, which makes these tissues highly visible in a CT scan.
In contrast, media the patient is injected with a substance rich in iodine that circulates to the organs, changing the way they look through the x-rays. In the case of the circulatory system, the contrast will illuminate the blood vessels in search of possible obstructions. It is essential to know contrast CT scan cost in Delhi first.
There are other types of contrasts, such as barium compounds that are used to examine the digestive system.
How can a CT diagnose circulatory diseases?
Angiography performed with computed tomography or Angiotomography (ATC) equipment analyses blood flow in different parts of the body, such as the brain, heart, abdomen, legs, and arms.
CT scan serves not only to assess the proper functioning of blood vessels but also to diagnose diseases related to circulatory problems such as:
- Alterations in arteries or veins (aneurysms).
- Atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries.
- Obstructions in the blood vessels.
- Congenital disease in the arteries.
- Ischemic accidents or cerebral hemorrhages.
- Arterial disease in the blood vessels of the heart.
- Pulmonary embolism in the arteries etc.
Also, the ATC through computed tomography equipment are used by surgeons to see the result and evolution of an intervention performed or to plan a future surgery using it for example to:
- Guide in a reconstruction of blood vessels.
- Evaluate coronary veins after the placement of a pacemaker.
- Review the efficacy of an angioplasty or stent placement.
- Evaluate the need for a bypass.
- Perform a tissue biopsy.
Angiography with computed tomography is a faster, non-invasive type of test that has fewer complications for the patient than is traditionally performed using a catheter.