Stress Thallium Vs CT Angiogram - Which is best?

[gany76]

Hello all,

My mom (58 yrs) had a mild positive during treadmill test. She has been adviced for a stress thallium test (Nuclear) to rule out any benefit of doubts. She is a bit obese.

I have been hearing quite a lot about CT angiogram as well.

Can one of you suggest, which of these two would be best suitable in determining blocked arteries?

Thanks much in advance.

Gany

[kenkeith]

CT 64 slice scan angiogram will include the anatomy of the vessels, chest, and aorta vessel (ascending, arch and descending).  The scan will show any layers of soft plaque outside the lumen, and it is the soft plaque that has a higher risk of rupturing, clotting  and causing an MI.  The scan and stress test are about equal in determing the plaque within the lumen that may cause ischemia (blocked, partially blocked vessels.

Obesity, unable to hold one's breath for several seconds, and inability to reduce the heart rate below 63 bpm, etc. may preclude the option of CT.