What is the gold standard for heart diagnostics?
Dual CTThe abbreviation for computed tomography, a scan that generates a series of cross-sectional x-ray images Infinity Scanning leading UK Cardiologist, Professor Lahiri says: “We have seen many of these types of machine subsequently fail during clinical validation. Arguably the gold standard diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. for heart disease is the pathologists’ report! The problem is that the heart moves so quickly it is difficult without the right imaging equipment to get a sufficiently good image of the coronaryRelating to the arteries supplying the heart itself. arteries. In the obvious absence of being able to stop the heart in order to get a good picture, the widely accepted alternative is CT and an angiogramAn X-ray image of the blood vessels following the injection of a dye to improve visibility., but these are not accurate and are highly expensive and invasive procedures.
That was until the recent arrival and approval of Dual CT Infinity Scanning. This scan incorporates twin x-ray with CT, the temporalA medical term meaning of or near the temples. differential of this configuration allows the effective ‘freezing’ of the image in all stages of the heart beat. Furthermore, Dual CT Infinity is quicker, cheaper and non-invasiveAny test or technique that does not involve penetration of the skin. The term 'non-invasive' may also describe tumours that do not invade surrounding tissues.. If you want to know if you have any heart disease, this is what you need. But the only unit in the UK to have one is The Cardiac Imaging and Research Centre at The Wellington Hospital.
There are other systems in development including a portable magnetometer being developed at the University of Leeds, with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). It is reported that, due to its sensitivity to magnetic fluctuations the device will be able to detect a number of conditions, including heart problems in foetuses, earlier than currently available diagnostic techniques such as ultrasoundA diagnostic method in which very high frequency sound waves are passed into the body and the reflective echoes analysed to build a picture of the internal organs – or of the foetus in the uterus., ECGThe abbreviation for electrocardiogram, a tracing of the electrical activity of the heart to help in the diagnosis of heart disease. (electrocardiogramA tracing of the electrical activity of the heart.) and existing cardiacRelating to the heart magnetometers. It will also be smaller, simpler to operate and able to gather more information and significantly cheaper than other devices currently available.
“Early detection of heart conditions improves the prospects for successful treatment. This system will also quickly identify people who need immediate treatment,” says Professor Varcoe.
However, putting this development in context, leading UK Cardiologist, Professor Lahiri says: “We have seen many of these types of machine subsequently fail during clinical validation. The magnetometer seems similar to impedence cardiography which ended up going went nowhere. Proof of diagnostic efficacy and advantage over current cardiac MR, CT and echo will need to be proven.”
Anyone needing or interested in getting a definite heart check should see Chest Pain - Cardiac or Not?
