Overview
Cleveland Clinic's Section of Cardiovascular Imaging uses the most advanced technology available to capture images of the heart. These various techniques allow physicians to make accurate diagnoses and determine the best treatment for each patient. They also offer better patient safety during treatments. These specialists are referred to as "imaging physicians" because they determine the most appropriate way to image or study the structure and function of the heart in order to diagnose many types of heart disease. They are also experts in the treatment and long-term management of many types of heart conditions.
Obtaining and interpreting images of the heart are critical to the successful management of any cardiac disorder. Our cardiovascular imaging specialists pioneered the use of stress echocardiography to evaluate heart valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic aneurysm, patent foramen ovale, and diastolic dysfunction in patients with amyloidosis and constrictive pericarditis. We also use transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), nuclear imaging, cardiac MRI and coronary CTA.
What We Treat
Cardiovascular imaging physicians are also experts in the treatment and long-term management of many types of heart conditions including:
- Anomalous coronary artery anatomy
- Aortic aneurysm
- Aortic stenosis
- Cardiac tumors
- Chronic coronary artery disease
- Diastolic dysfunction
- Heart valve disease
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Marfan syndrome
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Pericarditis
- Preclinical coronary artery disease
- Radiation heart disease
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Other less common types of heart disease
Cleveland Clinic's Section of Cardiac Imaging is one of the largest and most experienced in the country. Our staff reads and interprets nearly 50,000 images every year.
Cardiovascular imaging specialists have pioneered the use of stress echocardiography in evaluating heart valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic aneurysm, patent foramen ovale, and diastolic dysfunction in amyloidosis and constrictive pericarditis.
Imaging specialists in the Section of Cardiovascular Imaging utilize the following diagnostic studies to diagnose heart disease, plan optimal care for patients, and help ensure treatment is complete. They also use these diagnostic studies to minimize complications during many types of catheter-based procedures and heart surgery.
- Echocardiography, including Doppler, 3-D and strain are used to assess the overall function of the heart, determine the presence of many types of heart disease, follow the progress of valve disease and evaluate the effectiveness of medical or surgical treatment.
- Stress echocardiography uses exercise or medication to make the heart work harder than when at rest. This helps us obtain more detailed pictures of the heart and how well or poorly it is functioning. Although stress echo is widely used to evaluate coronary artery disease, members of the section have pioneered its use in evaluating heart valve disease, such as aortic stenosis and insufficiency (regurgitation), bicuspid aortic valve disease, mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve stenosis and insufficiency, tricuspid and pulmonic valve disease, rheumatic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and diastolic dysfunction in amyloidosis and constrictive pericarditis.
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is used during surgery of the coronary arteries, valves or aorta. TEE is also done to evaluate whether a patient who has atrial fibrillation is at high risk for stroke. The procedure can show the presence of any blood clots in the heart (which have the potential to travel into the bloodstream and cause a stroke).
- Intracardiac echo is valuable during electrophysiology and other catheter-based procedures to assist the cardiologist in visualizing the heart's structures and minimizing complications.
- Nuclear imaging studies are used to diagnose various heart conditions. Specialists use Multigated Acquisition Scan (MUGA), positron emission tomography (PET), and nuclear exercise stress testing to find out more about the structure and function of the heart.
- Cardiac MRI is considered the best method to evaluate heart structure, size, and function. This test uses a specialized cardiac capable MRI scanner to evaluate the heart. For people who cannot have an MRI scan (due to metal clips, pacemakers, etc.), a radionuclide study or cardiac CT scan are also options.
- Coronary computed tomography angiography (CT Angiography) is being studied as a noninvasive method for detecting blockages in the coronary arteries. Both 40-detector and 64-detector scanners are being evaluated to determine their ability to rule out significant narrowing of the major coronary arteries and non-invasively detect “soft plaque,” or fatty matter that may lead to future problems if lifestyle changes or medical treatment are not initiated.
Why choose Cleveland Clinic for your care?
Our outcomes speak for themselves. Please review our facts and figures and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
The Section of Cardiovascular Imaging at Cleveland Clinic is one of the few centers in the country offering specialized imaging of the cardiovascular system by an integrated team of radiologists and cardiologists specifically trained in cardiac imaging.
Our Programs
Calcium Score Program
Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute offers coronary calcium scoring at 15 locations across Northeast Ohio:
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus – at Desk J1, Desk Qb (Main CT Department) and Desk F30
Northeast Ohio:
Akron General Hospital
Ashtabula County Medical Center (Hospital)
Avon Hospital
Euclid Hospital
Fairview Hospital
Hillcrest Hospital
Lutheran Hospital
Marymount Hospital
Medina Hospital
Elyria Family Health Center
Lakewood Family Health Center
Wooster Family Health Center
How do I schedule?
This test can be easily ordered by your doctor through the Cleveland Clinic electronic medical record. If your doctor is not connected to the Cleveland Clinic, they can contact our referring physician center to order this test.
How much does the calcium score screening heart scan cost?
Because this CT scan is a screening exam, it is not currently covered under most insurance. At Cleveland Clinic, the cost of the test is $95.
How do you get the results?
- A Cleveland Clinic cardiovascular imaging specialist will review the results of the CT scan and provide the results to your doctor within 1 business day.
- A calcium score will be determined. We will also provide you with a risk percentile score based on age, gender and ethnicity.
- In addition, if you have some findings outside your heart, these findings will also be reported to your doctor.
- Your physician who ordered the test will receive the full report and provide you with the results.
- If you have MyChart, results will be released to MyChart.
What does the score mean?
The calcium score can range from zero to over 400. It should be combined with other risk factor measurements (such as race, diabetes, smoking, family history, cholesterol, blood pressure), to determine your risk for future coronary artery disease.
Please ask your doctor if you have any questions about the calcium-score screening heart scan.
Appointments
What to Expect
Whether you are coming from around the corner or around the world, you want to know what to expect before, during and after your visit with us. If you have any questions while reviewing this information, please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
By Phone
Call Toll-free 800.223.2273, ext. 46697 or submit an online request
Directions
Go to Desk J1 - 5, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
Online
Use our secure online form to submit an appointment request 24/7. We will receive it and follow-up with you as soon as possible.
Physician Referrals
Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET):
toll-free 800.223.2273, ext. 49162
Research
For Patients
Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute physicians, surgeons, and researchers continue to research into new treatments and therapies with the goal of improving patient care and outcomes into the future.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials (or research studies) help us create the medicine of tomorrow. They provide hope through offering testing of new drugs, new surgical techniques or other treatments before they are widely available.
We can help you access hundreds of clinical trials across all specialty areas. Our new searchable online trials tool makes identifying treatment opportunities easier than ever.
