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The Risks and Benefits Of Cardiac Imaging

Patients in Kansas and Missouri who experience chest pain or other symptoms of heart disease need to be evaluated by a physician. Doctors often utilize state of the art tests to determine a diagnosis and proceed with treatment options. Computerized tomography (CT scanning) and nuclear testing are two such tools in a doctor's arsenal to uncover the source of the complaint and diagnose potentially dangerous conditions. Although the tests are helpful diagnostic tools, questions regarding the exposure to radiation bring the safety of repeated testing into question.

Are tests like CT scans and nuclear imaging always necessary? Alternatives to these tests may help ease concerns over the repeated exposure to radiation. Both tests use low levels of radiation, but the long term effects to radiation include elevated cancer risks to the patient.

What is a computerized tomography (CT) test?
CT scans provide doctors with a detailed view of the body. As the patient is moved on a motorized table, the X-ray shoots a series of snapshots from different angles while the beam rotates around the patient. The images are sent to a computer system which then produces a cross section view of an area of the body. As these cross sections are stacked up, doctors are left with a clearer, more accurate three-dimensional picture to aid them in their diagnostic procedures.

Nuclear Imaging
Nuclear imaging tests rely on the use of a radioactive tracer administered orally or by injection. Radiation detecting cameras then pick up the tracer within the body and take images which are then sent to the computer to produce diagnostic pictures for physicians to interpret.

Radiation and Cancer
Exposure to radiation carries with it some very serious risks. Radiation can increase the risk of cancer each time a patient is exposed to it. An article in the Wall Street Journal recently reported on how CT scans are linked to cancer. Two different studies published in Dec. 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine exposed the seriousness of the risks from a single heart CT scan received at the age of 40. According to the article, 1 in 270 women and 1 in 600 men would later develop cancer due to the low level radiation exposure from the test.

Steps to Minimize the Risks
Although these tests certainly have their place, re-examination of their use is a good first step to preventing unnecessary radiation exposure. Alternatives to cardiac imaging may work for patients with low risks of heart disease. As an example, treadmill tests and electrocardiograms (EKG) may be adequate tools to assist the doctor in ruling out heart issues for certain patients.

Adequate training for radiologists and technicians is another line of defense against needless exposure. Poor test interpretation can lead to the need for repeated cardiac imaging tests and further exposure to radiation. As the field of imaging technology continues to expand, radiologists and other medical professionals must constantly update their knowledge to avoid mistakes. Communication between radiologists and cardiology staff can also prevent the need for repeated tests.

Patients who are concerned over the use of cardiac imaging should address these concerns with health care providers. Ask if there are alternatives to the tests. Never be afraid to seek a second opinion. Patients who fully educate themselves on the risks of cardiac imaging, and the alternatives, can help their doctors to explore all of the options when it comes to their health care decisions.

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered from the overuse of these tests, or from medical error, The Truth About Medical Malpractice Claims is a free guide that can help you find answers. You can also contact the Kansas City medical malpractice attorneys at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys for a free consultationby calling 888-348-2616.

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