Cardio-Vascular & Thoracic Imaging- Diagnostics

What is cardio-vascular and thoracic imaging?

The cardio-vascular imaging uses the echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) technologies to capture the images of the heart and vascular system in non-invasive manner. These techniques provide exceptional 2-, 3- and 4-dimensional (2D, 3D and 4D) visualization of complex cardiovascular anatomy and pathology. This helps to facilitate the treatment plan which may include surgical or endovascular procedures.

Cardio-thoracic imaging involves the diagnosis of disorders of the airways, lungs, mediastinum, myocardium, pleura and chest wall, and coronary arteries. It involves a chest radiography, CT scan and MRI.

A radiologist and a cardiologist are the medical specialists who will be involved in cardio-vascular and thoracic imaging.

Chest x-rays:

Chest x-rays are generally useful in the beginning of the diagnosis. They provide a gross view of atrial and ventricular size as well as the shape and pulmonary vasculature.

Echocardiography:

It is also known as cardiac ultrasound and is used to evaluate heart size, systolic and diastolic function, wall thickness, pericardial diseases, and valvular function. It also provides information about any ischemia and infarction. This technique uses ultrasound waves to capture an image of the heart, the heart valves, and the great vessels. A transducer is placed on chest over the heart. The transducer sends ultrasound waves through the chest toward the heart. A computer captures the images by interpreting the sound waves as they bounce back to the transducer. A 3D echocardiography creates a 3D image of the heart.

Computed tomography (CT) scan:

This technique uses X-rays to produce 2D cross-sectional images, of the body's blood vessels, bones, and soft tissues. CT scanners use a motorized X-ray source which rotates around the body in order to take detailed images. The captured images can be stacked to create a 3D model of the specific organ.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):

It is used to evaluate blood flow, perfusion, cardiac anatomy, ventricular function, myocardial mass, and myocardial viability.  This technique uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the tissues and organs. Generally, most of the MRI machines are tube-shaped, large magnets. Patient is asked to lie down inside the MRI machine and the magnetic field is used for temporary realignment of the hydrogen atoms in the body.  Now the radio waves cause the aligned hydrogen atoms to generate faint signals that help to create MRI images.

Positron emission tomography (PET):

This technique uses radioactive nuclides (such as carbon-11 (¹¹C) carbon dioxide, oxygen-15 (¹⁵O) water, and nitrogen-13 (¹³N) ammonia) which are used to trace the amount of blood flow entering a specific region.

Sources:

• https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/cardiovascular-tests-and-procedures/cardiac-imaging-tests
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866291/
• https://www.everydayhealth.com/ct-scan/guide/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mri/about/pac-20384768
• https://www.healthline.com/health/echocardiogram#types
• https://www.radiology.vcu.edu/patients/specialties/thoracic/index.html

Disclaimer: Please note that Mya Care does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is not intended to replace the care or advice of a qualified health care professional. The views expressed are personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Mya Care. Always consult your doctor for all diagnoses, treatments, and cures for any diseases or conditions, as well as before changing your health care regimen. Do not reproduce, copy, reformat, publish, distribute, upload, post, transmit, transfer in any manner or sell any of the materials on this page without the prior written permission from myacare.com.