Angiogram or Scan?

Carol T said:

Are there any advantages of having a Electron Beam Tomography scan
over an angiogram?

The former is non-invasive.

Quoted message said:

What does one do that the other doesn't and so
forth.

Thank you in advance

Carol T

The angiogram gives more information than EBCT.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Carol T wrote:

Quoted message said:

The angiogram gives more information than EBCT.<<<<<<<<<<

Thank you Dr Chung,

Please can you tell me if there is anything less invasive than an
angiogram which gives as much information as an angiogram? Also if
someone suffers from bouts of irregular or runs of fast heart beats is
an angiogram likely to set it off or not, is the risk high?

How did people confirm heart problems before such technologies and how
are today's technologies helping people better than past treatments?

At what point is there an urgency for an angiogram and what
circumstance no urgency at all?

Also if someone has pain in their veins sometimes in various areas
other than their heart region will this make any difference to an
angiogram? Should one thing be checked out before another or vice
versa?

Sorry for all the questions.

Carol T

Carol T said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Carol T wrote:

Quoted message said:

The angiogram gives more information than EBCT.<<<<<<<<<<

Thank you Dr Chung,

Please can you tell me if there is anything less invasive than an
angiogram which gives as much information as an angiogram?

Cardiac MRI is getting close at some of the research centers.

Quoted message said:

Also if
someone suffers from bouts of irregular or runs of fast heart beats is
an angiogram likely to set it off or not, is the risk high?

Usually the medications given for sedation keeps tachyarrhythmias at bay during the angiogram.

Quoted message said:

How did people confirm heart problems before such technologies and how
are today's technologies helping people better than past treatments?

Angiograms have been around for a long time.

Quoted message said:

At what point is there an urgency for an angiogram and what
circumstance no urgency at all?

Heart attack versus no heart attack.

Quoted message said:

Also if someone has pain in their veins sometimes in various areas
other than their heart region will this make any difference to an
angiogram?

No.

Quoted message said:

Should one thing be checked out before another or vice
versa?

Kidney function should be checked prior to an angiogram if at all possible.

Quoted message said:

Sorry for all the questions.

Carol T

No need to apologize.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Dr. Andrew B. Chung said:

Carol T said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Carol T wrote:

Quoted message said:

The angiogram gives more information than EBCT.<<<<<<<<<<

Thank you Dr Chung,

Please can you tell me if there is anything less invasive than an
angiogram which gives as much information as an angiogram?

Cardiac MRI is getting close at some of the research centers.

I didn't know this existed.

what can a cardiac MRI show as compared to

a) angiogram
b) EBCT

when would it be indicated as opposed to an angiogram?

Dr Chaos said:

Dr. Andrew B. Chung said:

Carol T said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
> Carol T wrote:

> The angiogram gives more information than EBCT.<<<<<<<<<<

Thank you Dr Chung,

Please can you tell me if there is anything less invasive than an
angiogram which gives as much information as an angiogram?

Cardiac MRI is getting close at some of the research centers.

I didn't know this existed.

what can a cardiac MRI show as compared to

a) angiogram
b) EBCT

when would it be indicated as opposed to an angiogram?

It is not routinely available yet as an alternative to angiography.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Usually the medications given for sedation keeps tachyarrhythmias at bay

during the angiogram.

Quoted message said:

Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Is sedation normally given during an angiogram? This must be another cost
saving in Britain's NHS.
Derek.

Derek F said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Usually the medications given for sedation keeps tachyarrhythmias at bay

during the angiogram.

Quoted message said:

Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Is sedation normally given during an angiogram?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

This must be another cost
saving in Britain's NHS.
Derek.

Wouldn't know.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Derek F said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Usually the medications given for sedation keeps tachyarrhythmias at bay

during the angiogram.

Quoted message said:

Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Is sedation normally given during an angiogram? This must be another cost
saving in Britain's NHS.
Derek.

You touched a nerve there Derek. No, I didn't get any sedation when I
went for an angiogram privately in the UK. It was a hideous
experience especially as no one bothered to tell me to hold the
diuretics. The procedure took over an hour and I never forgave the
cardiologist who did it. As a result, when I went to have a pacemaker
fitted recently (on the NHS) I kept repeating that they must be sure
to give me sufficient sedation. That's another unfomfortable
procedure but the sedation definitely helped. Diana

Quoted message said:

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Quoted message said:

Derek F said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Usually the medications given for sedation keeps tachyarrhythmias at

bay

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

during the angiogram.

Quoted message said:

Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Is sedation normally given during an angiogram? This must be another cost
saving in Britain's NHS.
Derek.

You touched a nerve there Derek. No, I didn't get any sedation when I
went for an angiogram privately in the UK. It was a hideous
experience especially as no one bothered to tell me to hold the
diuretics. The procedure took over an hour and I never forgave the
cardiologist who did it. As a result, when I went to have a pacemaker
fitted recently (on the NHS) I kept repeating that they must be sure
to give me sufficient sedation. That's another unfomfortable
procedure but the sedation definitely helped. Diana

Quoted message said:

Did you have an angiogram or an angioplasty? as an hour seems an
extraordinarily long time for an angiogram. I asked the question because I
was surprised that anyone would want sedation for an angiogram:-) And
knowing how tough our American cousins are I am even more surprised that
they need one. They had kept me in hospital the night prior to the angiogram
and had added Losartan and a diuretic to my medication to bring my BP down
prior to the procedure. All morning I was expecting the diuretic to have me
rushing to the toilet (I normally go a lot as I have an enlarged prostate)
but nothing happened. Diuretics seem to have the opposite effect on me and
eventually I had to stop taking them as I was getting a constant pain in the
pelvic area.
Derek.

"Derek F" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Derek F said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
>
> Usually the medications given for sedation keeps tachyarrhythmias at

bay

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

during the angiogram.
> Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
> Board-Certified Cardiologist
> http://www.heartmdphd.com/

Is sedation normally given during an angiogram? This must be another cost
saving in Britain's NHS.
Derek.

You touched a nerve there Derek. No, I didn't get any sedation when I
went for an angiogram privately in the UK. It was a hideous
experience especially as no one bothered to tell me to hold the
diuretics. The procedure took over an hour and I never forgave the
cardiologist who did it. As a result, when I went to have a pacemaker
fitted recently (on the NHS) I kept repeating that they must be sure
to give me sufficient sedation. That's another unfomfortable
procedure but the sedation definitely helped. Diana

Quoted message said:

Did you have an angiogram or an angioplasty? as an hour seems an
extraordinarily long time for an angiogram. I asked the question because I
was surprised that anyone would want sedation for an angiogram:-) And
knowing how tough our American cousins are I am even more surprised that
they need one. They had kept me in hospital the night prior to the angiogram
and had added Losartan and a diuretic to my medication to bring my BP down
prior to the procedure. All morning I was expecting the diuretic to have me
rushing to the toilet (I normally go a lot as I have an enlarged prostate)
but nothing happened. Diuretics seem to have the opposite effect on me and
eventually I had to stop taking them as I was getting a constant pain in the
pelvic area.
Derek.

Back in the late '80s or early '90s what I remember is getting Valium. When I
had a problem with restenosis I remember jokeing with the Drs. that I was
coming back for the Valium. I think I may have gotten a diuretic afterwords to
get rid of the die they use. It was kind of uncofortable to not move your leg
around and pee a lot. 🙂

Bill

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Kidney function should be checked prior to an angiogram if at all possible.<<<<<<

I thought all things like that were routine anyway before a procedure
like an angiogram.

Carol T

"Derek F" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> Is sedation normally given during an angiogram? This must be

another cost

Quoted message said:

saving in Britain's NHS.
Derek.<<<<<<<<

Weren't you given anything at all ? Surely just going through the
process isn't the safest of situations to be alert to. Being awake is
one thing, being sedated and awake is another isn't it? Surely
sedated doesn't necessarily mean being put to sleep? What if something
went wrong? It's bad enough having a chest pain without bringing it on
deliberately in an alert individual?

Carol T

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 22:57:39 +0000 (UTC), "Derek F"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>>>>>The procedure took over an hour and I never forgave the

cardiologist who did it. As a result, when I went to have a pacemaker
fitted recently (on the NHS) I kept repeating that they must be sure
to give me sufficient sedation. <<<<<<<<<<<<

H Dianna,

I'm not bothered about general discomfort, but I am bothered about
having the pain I've had before being brought on, because that's
horrendous. There's no comparison between having a baby, and that is
bad enough as you may know, but at least someone _trys_ to help. It's
a conundrum because as we can't access GP services for help, or have
to wait in casualty, it's like trusting the lion or the bear to let
you walk through their cage.

I'm not confidence inspired because I feel like I've been in a circle
with no where to go. There are four things, not finding out what has
been happening, dying of a heart attack, the pain or a medical test.
The latter two seem equally as bad as the first. This is slightly
worrying if I consider it objectively, because apart from doubting
myself, there are more pleasant ways of going than a heart attack, or
even far more pleasant ways of living too, I'm sure.

Perhaps I shouldn't have asked the questions, but I ran out of blind
faith a few years ago. I suppose the right time to do it is when
people have the problem and haven't got time to think about the
procedure too much. I am kind of glad that there are other people who
have had to rethink things, although it's not much consolation to you.
Would you say it was worth it now you feel the way you do about the
procedure?

How did an angiogram determine that you needed a pacemaker fitted, or
did it cause your need for a pacemaker?

Carol T

"Carol T" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Derek F" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>>> Is sedation normally given during an angiogram? This must be

another cost

Quoted message said:

saving in Britain's NHS.
Derek.<<<<<<<<

Weren't you given anything at all ? Surely just going through the
process isn't the safest of situations to be alert to. Being awake is
one thing, being sedated and awake is another isn't it? Surely
sedated doesn't necessarily mean being put to sleep? What if something
went wrong? It's bad enough having a chest pain without bringing it on
deliberately in an alert individual?

Carol T

I was not given anything apart from the local anaesthetic in the groin. If
something was going wrong I would want to be awake and alert to tell them
about it. My problem was that I was cold as they keep the temperature down
in the theatre and the table was very narrow even for a slim person like me.
Derek.

Carol T said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Kidney function should be checked prior to an angiogram if at all possible.<<<<<<

I thought all things like that were routine anyway before a procedure
like an angiogram.

Carol T

In an emergency situation, routine things may be a luxury.

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com

Quoted message said:

Did you have an angiogram or an angioplasty? as an hour seems an
extraordinarily long time for an angiogram. I asked the question because I
was surprised that anyone would want sedation for an angiogram:-) And
knowing how tough our American cousins are I am even more surprised that
they need one. They had kept me in hospital the night prior to the angiogram
and had added Losartan and a diuretic to my medication to bring my BP down
prior to the procedure. All morning I was expecting the diuretic to have me
rushing to the toilet (I normally go a lot as I have an enlarged prostate)
but nothing happened. Diuretics seem to have the opposite effect on me and
eventually I had to stop taking them as I was getting a constant pain in the
pelvic area.
Derek.

It was an angiogram and was routine after a diagnosis of valvular
heart disease and before surgery. Yes, it was an hour, perhaps a bit
more. The cardiologist doing it was struggling to find/negotiate a
particular artery and, as I understand it, gave up in the end. He had
injected the dye and I saw that all the arteries were clear. Call me
a wimp if you like but I prefer to have sedation. I have come to
dislike private hospitals in the UK. My experience with private
treatment has always been unsatisfactory. The angiogram cost £1200.
I had contacted a senior cardiology nurse to ask if I should take my
medicines before I went and she told me I should but I think the
diuretic could have waited until after the procedure. Afterwards I had
a great problem trying to empty my bladder, especially as they would
not let me sit up, Thats strange about diuretics preventing you
from weeing. Diana

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How did an angiogram determine that you needed a pacemaker fitted, or
did it cause your need for a pacemaker?

Carol T

It didn't. I had a new treatment for AF at the same time as a new MV
last Nov. The treatment failed. The valve is working fine. But, I
developed all sorts of problems; tachycardia, bradycardia and LBBB.
and as the months went on the cardiologists at the local heart centre
were telling me about what might have to be done. Medicine was tried
first but then they diagnosed heart block and I was told I was to
have a PM.( The surgeon who did the op (at a different hospital) told
me the valve could fail if these problems were not sorted out.)
So, now I have a dual chamber PM for paroxysmal AF and flutter
and 2:1 AV block (which I don't quite understand). Diana

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>>>>>>

So, now I have a dual chamber PM for paroxysmal AF and flutter
and 2:1 AV block (which I don't quite understand). Diana<<<<<<<<<<

I'd like to thank everyone who responded to this thread. I am not sure
that I am any more the certain about this, but it has been interesting
all the same. It seems to be all very much a hit and miss affair
because logic tells me the heart is 3D and what they see on monitors
is 2D. So, so much must be missed anyway as no cameras have lenses in
the back of their equipment (like us not being able to see the back of
our heads). Maybe one day we can all look forward to non invasive
diagnostic procedures.

Carol T