Is it true that a CT scan would not be able to detect clots?

Question

Hi doctor,

My roommate is in hospital with chest tightness and shortness of breath. Last week they ended up doing an angioplasty. They had not given him the results of any of the tests they had done, mostly just an x-ray and a sonogram.

They found blockage in the Y of the circumflex artery and the left anterior descending artery and put in a stent. He went home the next day. Yesterday, he started to have shortness of breath again and checked himself into the ER at 4 AM; he has been there ever since. They did more X-rays and found nothing in his lungs and another sonogram.

For some reason, they are refusing to do a CT scan saying they would rather just do another angioplasty. They said a CT scan would not detect any clots. I find this utterly absurd. I think it is weird that they want to go in and put in another stent without further testing. His troponin levels are also normal. Why do not they think a CT is warranted before they do another angioplasty? Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You need to understand that the emergency need of modality is angiography followed by angioplasty if required. You are right, CT (computed tomography), also known as CT angiography is highly sensitive for the detection of clots. Its efficacy is as equal to traditional angiography. However, it is important to go for angiography as an emergency mode of treatment. If you could attach his reports as well as his ECG strips, I could guide you better.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read the complete case history and the reports (attachments removed to protect patient identity). He seems to have coronary artery disease and blockage. In such a case, my recommendation would be to go for coronary angiography followed by angioplasty if required.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.