By: Anush Parikh, M.D.

Coronary artery disease, heart disease, atherosclerotic disease, cardiovascular disease; the number one killer of Americans goes by many names. Despite the variety with respect to nomenclature, the underlying commonality is blockage of one or more of the arteries of the heart which eventually leads to heart dysfunction/stoppage (heart attack or cardiac arrest).

Coronary artery disease is the buildup of cholesterol/fatty and calcified deposits (plaque) within the arteries of the heart. This overtime leads to narrowing of the blood vessel which can eventually become so severely narrowed that adequate blood flow/oxygen cannot be delivered to the heart muscles. This can produce angina (chest pain with nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety, sweating or dizziness among other symptoms). Alternatively, the plaque can rupture and lead to immediate blockage of the arteries and subsequent sudden cardiac arrest. There are many risk factors for coronary heart disease, with the major ones being increasing age, male gender, genetics, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, low physical activity, obesity, diabetes, stress, and excessive alcohol consumption.

According to the 2009 statistics from the AHA (American Heart Association) one in three female adults has some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since 1984, the number of CVD deaths for women has exceeded the deaths for men. The AHA statistics state that in 2005 in the US, all cardiovascular diseases combined resulted in the death of 454,613 women while all forms of cancer combined resulted in the death of 268,890 women (breast cancer resulted in 41,116 deaths and lung cancer claimed 69,105 lives).

Until now, the primary test to image the arteries of the heart has been an invasive procedure known as cardiac catheterization which typically involves puncturing the femoral artery followed by catheters and wires which are guided from the groin to the heart and evaluated by x-ray. Mid-Delaware Imaging now has the technology to accurately and non-invasively image the arteries of the heart with our new state-of-the art 64 detector/slice CT scanner (CAT scan). This study is known as Coronary CT Angiography.

After obtaining a brief history, the technologist will monitor your heart rate and the radiologist may or may not give you a low dose medication to control your heart rate. The technologist will then place an IV and you will be taken to the CT scanner. Iodine contrast material is then pushed through the IV (same contrast used in the invasive procedure) and the 64 slice CT scanner obtains extremely thin (0.5 mm) images through the heart. These thin images capture details of the moving heart and its arteries which allow us to construct high resolution 3-D images to determine if there is any fatty/cholesterol or calcified deposits (plaque) narrowing the arteries.

A recent study performed at the Cornell Medical Center in New York City found that the non invasive Coronary CT Angiography study has a very high negative predictive value (97-99%) in patients with chest pain who are electively referred for invasive coronary angiography. The higher the negative predictive value, the more effective a test is at excluding disease. Thus, Coronary CT Angiography is a highly effective noninvasive alternative to exclude coronary artery narrowing/stenosis.

This test is only offered at a few facilities in all of Delaware. For this reason, Mid-Delaware Imaging acquired the new 64 slice CT scanner and is proud to announce the availability of this exciting new test to help diagnose coronary artery disease in the patients of our community. This new scanner also obtains high resolution, 3-D images of other parts of the entire body and has revolutionized the way we diagnose old diseases. Cancers are being discovered/diagnosed at smaller sizes. The blocked arteries that cause stroke and vascular disease in the legs are very well evaluated by this incredible new technology.

Speak to your doctor to see if this test may benefit you or call us for more information regarding Coronary CT angiography or for any CAT scan/radiologic procedure. In the meantime, insist that your next CAT scan is performed with the latest 64 detector CT technology. We at Mid-Delaware Imaging, look forward to providing this service to you.

Anush Parikh, M.D. is with Mid-Delaware Imaging in Dover, DE. Dr. Parikh was raised in Dover and educated through the Holy Cross, Caesar Rodney and St. Andrew’s school systems. He attended New York University for undergraduate training where he majored in Anthropology. Dr. Parikh received his M.D. at Syracuse-Upstate Medical University where he achieved the medical academic honor of Alpha Omega Alpha. He moved back to NYC where he completed his Internship at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center. This was followed by a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Beth Israel Medical Center and a mini-fellowship in cardiac/coronary CT. Dr. Parikh has recently returned to his community where he is practicing along with his father Mahendra Parikh, M.D. (who has been a practicing radiologist and serving the community of Dover for 30 years).

Testimonials:
“My father had a heart attack at a young age. I am 58 years old and had chest pain on and off for a year with inconclusive tests. I had the coronary CT and it showed a severe blockage. I was one of the lucky few who was diagnosed early enough before a heart attack.” ~Lisa M.

“I had vague chest discomfort and have smoked for 20 years. I went to MDI where the incredibly helpful staff walked me through the coronary CT which found a 70% blockage and saved my life.” ~Jen D.