HEART scan
HEART scan
HEART scan (pronunciation: /hɑːrt skæn/), also known as cardiac scan, is a medical imaging procedure used to visualize the structure and function of the heart.
Etymology
The term "HEART scan" is an acronym for High Efficiency Artifact Reduction Tomography scan. The word "heart" is derived from the Old English "heorte", related to the Dutch "hart" and German "Herz". The word "scan" comes from the Latin "scannare", meaning "to examine".
Procedure
A HEART scan involves the use of a CT scanner to take detailed images of the heart. The patient is injected with a contrast medium to highlight the blood vessels and heart muscle. The CT scanner then takes a series of X-ray images from different angles, which are processed by a computer to create cross-sectional images of the heart.
Uses
HEART scans are used to diagnose and monitor a variety of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. They can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery.
Risks
As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with a HEART scan. These include allergic reactions to the contrast medium, exposure to radiation, and the possibility of false-positive or false-negative results.
Related Terms
- Cardiology: The branch of medicine that deals with diseases and abnormalities of the heart.
- Echocardiogram: A test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on HEART scan
- Wikipedia's article - HEART scan
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