Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA)
Dr. Steve Parcell and NatureMed Integrative Medicine have partnered with Cleerly to provide the most detailed noninvasive analysis of coronary artery plaque available. Cleerly uses supercomputing to identify, characterize, and quantify arterial plaque. A coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) test from Cleerly has higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional stress tests and calcium scoring.
What is a CCTA Test?
Cleerly explains their CCTA test:
“Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a heart specific diagnostic imaging test that helps determine if plaque buildup is present in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply the heart. Computed tomography is more commonly known as a CT scan. A CT scan generates images that can be reformatted in multiple planes and can even generate three-dimensional images. Patients undergoing a CCTA scan receive an iodine-containing contrast material as an intravenous (IV) injection to ensure the best possible images of the heart blood vessels.”
Why a CCTA Test is Effective
Cleerly uses CCTA images to identify, characterize, and quantify plaque buildup. Several studies have concluded that CCTA shows coronary atherosclerosis in 41% to 53% of patients with a traditional CAC score of zero. Cleerly’s CT angiogram identifies patients at a high risk of coronary artery disease sooner and with greater detail than the traditional CAC scan. This can help physicians prevent heart attacks. Cleerly’s model outperforms stress tests alone in terms of both sensitivity (95% vs. 74%), and specificity (63% vs. 43%) for detecting stenosis (narrowing) greater than 50%.
Learn why a CCTA test is better than a stress test: Why You Should Get a Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) Test
For more information on CCTA and Cleerly, download this guide: What to Expect with CCTA Test
If you are a current patient we can order this for you. If you are not a patient and are interested in a truly individualized preventive cardiology program, please call our front desk at 303.884.7557.
Sources:
The Fallacy of the Power of Zero. JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging. June 2022.
The Western Denmark Heart Registry: Its Influence on Cardiovascular Patient Care. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. March 20, 2018.
8 Million Nuclear Stress Tests are Performed in the US. Is This Necessary? Oliver Wyman, April 8, 2019.