64-slice CT Scan

[pedro640]

I am set to take a 64-slice CT Scan.
I have to take tocopherol prior. What is the purpose of administering this drug?
Thank you.
P.

[Jack54]

Cardiac

With the advent of subsecond rotation combined with multi-slice CT (up to 64-slice), high resolution and high speed can be obtained at the same time, allowing excellent imaging of the coronary arteries (cardiac CT angiography). Images with an even higher temporal resolution can be formed using retrospective ECG gating. In this technique, each portion of the heart is imaged more than once while an ECG trace is recorded. The ECG is then used to correlate the CT data with their corresponding phases of cardiac contraction. Once this correlation is complete, all data that were recorded while the heart was in motion (systole) can be ignored and images can be made from the remaining data that happened to be acquired while the heart was at rest (diastole). In this way, individual frames in a cardiac CT investigation have a better temporal resolution than the shortest tube rotation time.

Because the heart is effectively imaged more than once (as described above), cardiac CT angiography results in a relatively high radiation exposure around 12 mSv. For the sake of comparison, a chest X-ray carries a dose of approximately 0.02[3] to 0.2 mSv and natural background radiation exposure is around 0.01 mSv/day. Thus, cardiac CTA is equivalent to approximately 100-600 chest X-rays or over 3 years worth of natural background radiation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computed_tomography

[Jack54]

I worked in a nuclear power plant of over 20 years until I had a heart attack and stroke. I was forced into early retirement. I have also received my share of ionizing radiation.

I had a 64 slice ct scan in 2005 and the radiation dose was 75% of what the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) would allow a nuclear plant worker to receive in one full year.

Do some research if you don't believe me. I might even do it myself if I get the time.

Pedro, if you are a relatively old fellow, don't worry about the radiation dose. It takes a long time to cause cancer.

[pedro640]

That's what I suspected. I'm doing it anyway.
Thank you so much for your input.
P.

[Sweetwaterguy]

    I have more radiation exposure than most having been exposed for seven years (1946-53) as a child living in Richland, Washington--the site of the Hanford plutonium plant.  I also worked in the uranium mining and milling industry during my college years and after.    I have been a little concerned about my long term exposure and have related that to the appropriate people every time I get an x ray.  I have come to learn that although the radiation exposure from x rays has potential negative side effects, the risks are exceptionally minimal and the benefits significant.  Don't worry about it.  The 64 slice scan carries almost no risk when compared to having an angiogram.  Even with my exposure history, I have had zero problems from x ray imaging.  Also keep in mind, these modern machines don't require a lot of radiation to produce high quality images.  

[pedro640]

The radiation dose was based on weight etc. I'm thin and the MA is in the 300's.
What is your take on the radiation risk?
P.

[Jack54]

If the drug is toprol, which is a beta blocker, it will slow your heart down so better images will be made.  

[pedro640]

PS the drug is toperal not Tocopherol.
P.

[pedro640]

I knew that there was some longterm radiation risk. How does one calculate that risk vs. seeing what's going on in my arteries?

P.

[Jack54]

To limit the damage caused by the free radicals created by the radiation dose you will receive for sure, and it may help imaging in some way, but I doubt the imaging part help. Were you told about the radiation dose received from this scan?