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What Do These CAT Results Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 9 Oct 2015
Question: I am 45 and had a CTA of the heart with calcium score. I had a similar test completed when I was 32 and had a calcium score of 0. Currently, my score and results are as follows: Cardiac Functions; Unremarkable wall motion with a normal ejection fraction of 68%, Calcium Score: The left anterior descending artery received a Agatston score of 3. the left circumflex artery received a Agatstaon score of 7. Total Agatston of 10.

RCA is Patent
LM Patent
Circumflex Patent
LAD; however',has mild mixed plaque in the proximal and mid segments producing mild luminal narrowing. Can you please help me understand what this means as I am very worried and have high levels of anxiety due to these results.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

The CAT results show an increase in overall calcium score compare with the previous CAT examination. This increase in calcium score s a sign of progression of atherosclerosis and coronary plaques formation.

Moreover, from the CAT results there's a strong evidence of mixed plaques on LAD proximal and mid portions producing mild artery stenosis.

If you were my patients and you were suffering from chest pan I would have recommended to do the angiography.

Hope this will help to understand the CAT results.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (53 minutes later)
Dr.
It states in the findings:
1. Mild plaque in the proximal and mid LAD without hemodynamically significant stenosis.
2. Normal left ventricular ejections fraction of 68%
3. Total Agatston score equal to 10.

I am having no chest pain. I asked for the test due to slightly high cholesterol levels. Would you still recommend a follow-up angiography? I am very nervous about this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Thank you for providing more data. Based on the new specification there's no evidence for significant LAD stenosis. The only abnormalities found on CAT are the increase in calcium score and LAD plaques.

Since you have no chest pain you shouldn't do angiography . Instead of angiography you should do the following examinations:
- Cardiac ECHO
- Stress test

For the moment you should continue with healthy lifestyle to lower cholesterol levels.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (13 minutes later)
Dr. Shehu
As a further follow-up, and sorry to bother you. I take my health very serious and had a Cardiac ECHO and Stress test complete in May of 2013. The results are below. Should I have them done again in light of the new test?; or strive hard to eat and drink healthy; lowering my lipid profile. Can I reverse the build-up?

The Stress test results (8.16 minutes, peak heart rate 176):
1. No scintigraphic evidence for ischemia; essentially normal study
2. Normal left ventricular chamber size and contractility, ejections fraction 67%
3. No evidence for transient ischemic dilation
4. No exercise provoked chest pain
5. No exercise induced ischemic ST abnormalities

The echo results (two-dimensional echo with color flow and Doppler):
1. Otherwise unremarkable study.

Thank you for your time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
After reviewing the new onset data I would like to say that your heart was ok two years ago and you don't need to do other test for now.

If you were my patient I would recommend to do once a year echo and stress test this will help to reassure you that everything is going to be ok (also it will detect any problems in time).

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (2 minutes later)
Dr. Shehu,

Thank you so much for your time and I appreciate all of your help.

Sincerely, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are mostly welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Hi back
You are mostly welcome!
Wish you health!
Dr Shehu
P.s: If you are satisfied with my answers, please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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What Do These CAT Results Indicate?

Brief Answer: Following answer to your query... Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you for asking! I read your query and understood your concerns. The CAT results show an increase in overall calcium score compare with the previous CAT examination. This increase in calcium score s a sign of progression of atherosclerosis and coronary plaques formation. Moreover, from the CAT results there's a strong evidence of mixed plaques on LAD proximal and mid portions producing mild artery stenosis. If you were my patients and you were suffering from chest pan I would have recommended to do the angiography. Hope this will help to understand the CAT results. Wish you health! Dr. Shehu