Is there a test now that shows exactly how much plaque has accumulated in arteries?

Question

How much is it and where in Wisconsin can one have the test taken?

Answer 1

Tests can only show the presence of plaque, but no quantitative test is yet available.
Ring up a cardiac centre in Wisconsin, and they will help you out.

Answer 2

There are usually two ways of estimating the amount of plaques that has accumulated in specific arteries- in the carotid, we use doppler or duplex scanning. This can estimate how much of the carotid artery segment by segment, is blocked. This test can also be done for the aorta, the arteries of both upper and lower extremities, even each digits of the fingers, and the arms. Too bad, this test cannot estimate the plaques in the coronary arteries- which are the arteries supplying blood and nutrients to the heart.

Another way, is the arteriogram. Most commonly, this is done if surgery is being contemplated. This can be done in the carotid (carotid angiogram), the heart (coronary angiogram), lower extremities (femoral angiograms).

Another less often used diagnostic modality is the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). This probe is put inside a blood vessel, and the surrounding plaque is measure.

Answer 3

I recently attended a conference and saw some cutting edge tests.

Probably the most promising is the MRI angiogram. (though not readily available or strictly tested yet - Mayo probably can do these studies.) It not only gives you flow dynamics but cross sections of the plaques themselves. This is key.

Interestingly not all plaques are equal. Some are very unstable and are therefore more likely to rupture and cause a heart attack. Others are much more stable with a thick cap. These stable plaques may be nearly occlusive but lack the risk for a sudden heart attack. All of this is important data to know - which of these plaques should we fix? And which of these should we treat with medication? Currently if the plaques are 70% or higher then they get fixed...but what about the 40% plaque that ruptures. It has always been a shortcoming of our current system - but there seems to be answers on the way.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 4

A CT angiogram is an option to look at the coronary arteries. But be aware if you have a lot of plaque and a high "calcium score" the CT cannot look beneath the calcium. At that point you would be informed that the guess is at least 50% and maybe greater blockage. Then you would have to undergo the angiogram. Why mess around, just go for the regular angiogram, and if they find blockages they can deal with them at that time. Echos are not for corornary arteries.

Answer 5

NO not exactly but approximately near to exact!!See there is a instrumental and human error always be there !Of course we use computerize method but it also have an imaginary line of the plaque convexity and not definite ! You will surprise to know that even MRI done for vertebra is also not exact in the terms you want it ! There is always 2 to 10%plus minus Always YouRsmE

Answer 6

They are still working on non-invasive tests. Angiogram is still the best. Other tests can show some, but not very well. My cardiologist thinks something better is about 5 years away, maybe 10.

Answer 7

There are many tests but I think you might be talking about a test thats been getting a lot of publicity lately. It's called a crp test (c-reative protein). The benefits of this tests seems to be very controversial. See a cardiologist.

Answer 8

There are several different tests that can determine this. Most of them can be performed in almost any normal diagnostic center. They vary widely in price. Unless you live in a real small town, you should be able to find one easily. You'll need a cardiologist, though.

Answer 9

an angiogram ,i had one done last summer at Fransiscan Skemp,in LaCrosse,WI.they have some really wonderful cardiologist here and wonderful care to the patients.

Answer 10

I believe it is an angiogram ~ A angioplasty is what they use to open the artery up ~