Nuclear PET scans of the heart can reveal whether or not the heart is receiving enough blood and oxygen, and aid in diagnosing a number of cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiac sarcoidosis, as well as their severity. While most people thinking of cardiac patients likely to undergo nuclear imaging typically imagine middle-aged to elderly individuals, many children also suffer from heart disease and heart defects.
According to a 2016 study, an estimated 1.3% of U.S. children had a current heart condition, while 1.1% had a past heart condition. The CDC approximates that one million U.S. children have congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects affect about 1% of live births in the U.S., making them the most common type of birth defect in the United States.
Whether a child is suffering from congenital heart defects or acquired heart disease, the need for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan are the same. PET scans are used by pediatric cardiologists to identify defects, dead tissue, determine if enough oxygen and blood is being supplied to the heart muscle, and other factors vital to understanding the medical status of these patients.
For pediatric cardiologists, utilizing nuclear technology is often simply part of the diagnostic process. With private practices, should a pediatric physician order a PET/CT scan or some other kind of nuclear imaging scan, it usually means directing the patient and their family to a hospital.
Many parents whose children have a heart condition, and sometimes the patients themselves, endure high levels of anxiety. Hospital visits, even those which are merely to undergo necessary testing, can be stressful for various reasons. Some children may be comfortable with their pediatrician, but uncomfortable in a hospital setting. Parents may be rightfully concerned about visiting a hospital due to the risk of infection, especially when their child’s health is already compromised.
At Cardiac Imaging, Inc., we offer physicians the option to establish nuclear imaging clinics at their very own practices, or utilize our mobile imaging clinics. Each accommodation provides a safer, more controlled environment than the hospital setting, state of the art technology, shorter wait times, and all the same reliability of tests conducted at a hospital.
Cardiac PET/CT in Los Angeles
At Cardiac Imaging, Inc., you can find many ways to improve your practice with advanced nuclear imaging technology. For pediatric cardiologists, investing in your own cardiac imaging services can greatly benefit your patients, their health, and their families. Contact Cardiac Imaging, Inc. today to learn more about our company and how we can help.
