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Cardiac Scoring
Cardiac Scoring is a new, pain-free, non-invasive, inexpensive procedure
requiring less than 10 or 15 minutes. Using CT imaging equipment with
sub-second scanning ability, the examination takes 70-90 images of your
coronary arteries without any injections, needles or other inconveniences.
The amount of calcium or plaque detected in the coronary arteries is used
to establish your cardiac score. The cardiac score is then calculated
based on the findings and correlated with the risk of cardiovascular
disease.The radiation exposure during cardiac
scoring is very small. No intravenous injections or needles are required.
The procedure is safe and also simple. This requires a prescription by a
referring physician to perform this test.
First you complete a brief questionnaire provided by
the radiology department.
Next you lay down on the imaging table where a CT technologist places a
few EKG leads on your chest and asks you to hold your breath while the
images are taken (for a few seconds). Subsequently, the radiologist uses
high-tech software to calculate your cardiac score based on the images
taken. Then results should be available within twenty-four to forty-eight
hours.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS |
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Featuring Gene Phillips, M.D.
Interventional Radiologist with Charleston Radiologists, PA
Medical Director, InvisiVein
Q. What are varicose veins?
A. Varicose veins are abnormal bulging veins below the skin surface that are unsightly and often painful. They frequently cause swelling and discomfort in the legs, especially during periods of prolonged standing. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to permanent skin changes and sometimes ulceration.
Q. Are varicose veins only a cosmetic concern?
A. The appearance of varicose veins and spider veins (these are the smaller and more common variation of varicose veins) is the concern. However, varicose veins cause aching pain and discomfort. This condition may lead to serious problems if not treated.
Q. What new non-invasive techniques are available to treat varicose veins?
A. Surgery was the traditional treatment for varicose veins, but it’s invasive, moderately painful and has a slightly longer recovery period. Surgery requires the use of anesthesia, leaves a scar and a few incisions.
One of the newest non-invasive techniques in varicose vein removal is endovenous laser treatment (EVLT). The EVLT procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, requires no incisions, and usually lasts less than an hour. An interventional radiologist, a doctor specially trained in performing minimally invasive treatments using imaging guidance, can perform EVLT.
Q. How does the EVLT procedure work?
A. With EVLT, laser energy minimizes the vein walls, shrinking them and closing the faulty vein so that the blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates the bulging of the vein at its source. After the treatment, the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to the many normal veins in the leg.
The procedure leaves no visible scarring. There is minimal postoperative pain, and a quick recovery period gains immediate relief from symptoms. It is well documented that EVLT has a 98% initial success rate with excellent long-term results.
For more information on EVLT and varicose vein removal, visit InvisVein. |
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