Methodist offers online patient scheduling and registration for hospital procedures. Click here to access patient registration site. In fact, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have issued a consensus document on the use of EBCT as part of the diagnosis process of coronary artery disease. EBCT can detect calcium deposits in the arteries. When atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the walls of the coronary arteries, progresses, the plaque will contain measurable calcium levels.
Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack.
Minn. Participants were categorized in groups based on calcium score and age. EBCT appears to be 70 percent specific for detecting blocked arteries. However, because EBCT is not 100 percent specific, the researchers do not suggest using the test as a stand-along diagnostic method for coronary artery disease. Instead, EBCT should be used as a complementary tool to other diagnostic methods to detect coronary artery disease, according to the researchers. EBCT can help give physicians a clearer understanding of how fast the patient's atherosclerosis is progressing, as well as identify those patients who are otherwise categorized as low-risk.