Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™), sometimes called Ultrafast CT® of the Heart, is an imaging modality that can detect Coronary Artery Disease in its earliest stages. The EBT™ scanner takes pictures so quickly that it can acquire stop-action images of the beating heart. The advanced technology of   EBT™ scanning enables physicians to detect the build-up of calcium in the coronary arteries, which is an indication of atherosclerosis. This new generation of CT scanners is now considered the gold standard for detecting early heart disease. EBT™ is the centerpiece of the Preventive Cardiology Program, which also offers comprehensive cardiac risk factor analysis, counseling, education and referrals to various services available throughout the medical center. Patients at the Preventive Cardiology Program benefit from advanced diagnostic technology in The Heart Center’s friendly and comfortable outpatient setting. The Preventive Cardiology Approach What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)? How Does Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) Detect CAD? Why Early Detection is Important — Facts about Heart Disease Am I a Candidate for Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) Scanning? What To Expect During an Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) Scan Receiving Results Scheduling and Insurance Information Research Study Seeks Candidates for EBT™ Scanning Educational Resources and Web Links Return to Top The Preventive Cardiology Approach Prevention and early detection of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) are the main goals of the Preventive Cardiology Program. EBT™ is a cost-effective way to learn about your heart's health and to assist you and your physician in making medical decisions. Early detection of CAD gives patients the chance to learn about risk factor reduction, which can significantly reduce their risk of a heart attack. It is our mission to provide you with the state-of-the-art technology for early detection and the educational resources for the management of CAD. We focus on enhanced awareness of your risk factors and promote active involvement in risk reduction. We strive to empower patients with the information that is needed to reduce their risk of heart disease. What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)? Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the result of atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of plaque deposits on the inner lining of the coronary arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. Plaque is a combination of cholesterol, fatty deposits, cellular debris and calcium. When plaque clogs or blocks the coronary arteries, the heart does not receive the full amount of blood it needs to function properly. A significant amount of plaque build-up leads to symptoms of chest pain (angina). A heart attack occurs in advanced stages of CAD when blood flow to the heart is totally blocked. How Does Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) Detect CAD? Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) detects the presence and amount of calcium in the coronary arteries, a measurement that enables physicians to determine the amount of plaque build-up that has accumulated. Calcium formation starts early during the development of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The presence and amount of calcium indicates how much atherosclerosis has occurred in the coronary arteries. Symptoms of CAD do not occur until there is significant narrowing of the arteries, so this early detection becomes an important guide for you and your doctor’s preventive cardiology plan. This EBT™ scanner uses high-speed electron beam technology to take "stop action" pictures of the beating heart. It measures the amount of calcification at a high level of accuracy using advanced computer software. With a regular Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, the images are blurred because of the constant movement of the heart, so its accuracy has not been fully established. EBT™ provides a clear picture because it captures images of the heart in a tenth (1/10) of a second. CAD is difficult to detect in early stages. EBT™ is the only non-invasive test available for the early detection of CAD. Clinical studies have indicated that EBT™ is the gold standard for identification of initial disease and for tracking the progression of disease over time. Return to Top Why Early Detection is Important — Facts about Heart Disease Early detection can save your life! Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) detects the presence of disease before symptoms arise and can detect the earliest signs of plaque formation in the coronary arteries before the blood flow to the heart is restricted or blocked. The early detection of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) gives you time for preventive treatment. It serves as a guide for you and your doctor to develop a healthy lifestyle prescription plan. Consider these facts about heart disease: Heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States. It is estimated that more than 70 million Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. CAD is a slow, progressive "silent killer" that begins early and may go undetected for years. The American Heart Association estimates that more than 1.1 million people will have a heart attack each year and that CAD is the underlying cause in 30 percent of these cases. Studies have found that 57 percent of men and 64 percent of women who die of heart attacks each year never had symptoms prior to their cardiac arrest. In as many as 150,000 cases each year the first and only symptom of CAD is a fatal heart attack. Don’t be a statistic. If you are concerned about your heart health, call the Preventive Cardiology Program today at 201-996-3802 to schedule an Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™). Am I a Candidate for Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) Scanning? Take this Quick Risk Quiz to see if you are a candidate. If you check one or more of the heart disease risk factors listed below, you should consider being screened for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The recommended ages for coronary artery calcium screening for individuals with any of the risk factors are 35 to 65 for men and 45 to 70 for women. Risk factors include: Family History of Premature Heart Disease High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Smoking Diabetes Overweight Inactive Lifestyle Stress If you do not fit the above profile, but are still concerned about your risk for CAD, our cardiac healthcare professionals will be glad to counsel you. Call 201-996-3802 or e-mail Mary Lynn Dunne, Nurse Practitioner. MDunne@humed.com Return to Top What To Expect During an Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) Scan   Fasting or other preparations are not required prior to the scan.   The scan takes about 10 minutes.   The scan does not require a needle or any injections.   Electrocardiogram (EKG) electrodes are placed on the abdomen.   There is no pain or discomfort.   You will lie on a table that glides into the scanner, which is a round, donut-shaped machine that is wide open in the middle. There will be humming and swooshing noises as the x-ray pictures of your heart are taken. You will not be in a tunnel or hear any loud banging as is heard during MRI testing.     You will be asked to hold your breath for approximately 35-40 seconds. The technologist operating the computer will indicate when this is necessary. A sound system is built into the machine to allow communication with you during the test.   You do not have to remove your clothes. Women are asked to avoid wearing underwire bras and clothing that would restrict access to the abdomen.   The radiation dose is low.   You will be asked to complete a Heart Disease Risk Assessment Profile, which will be combined with your scan findings to provide an individualized assessment and to develop preventive care recommendations for you and your physician. Receiving Results Immediately following your Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) scan you will have an educational consultation with a nurse practitioner to review your individualized assessment plan that is based on the results of both your EBT™ scan and the Heart Disease Risk Assessment Profile. Recommendations for preventive strategies will be discussed so that you fully understand your risk factors and how to manage them effectively. Final reports will be generated and forwarded to you and to your primary care doctor and /or cardiologist after they are interpreted and reviewed by one the of cardiologists from our reading panel. Return to Top Scheduling and Insurance Information To schedule an appointment for an Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™), call 201-996-3802. Prior to coming in for the scan, we recommend that you talk with your physician, so that he or she will receive your results and be involved in your follow-up preventative care. If you do not have a physician, you may schedule an appointment on your own without a written prescription. The majority of insurers do not reimburse for the exam since it is considered a "screening" test. If your insurance carrier does not cover this test, payment is expected at the time of service, either by check, cash or credit card. Research Study Seeks Candidates for EBT™ Scanning A clinical research study to determine the usefulness of Electron Beam Tomography (EBT™) is currently being conducted and researchers are seeking volunteers. Hundreds of women from across the country will be participating. All study participants will receive, at no charge, 12 months of FDA-approved cholesterol-lowering medication, periodic checkups and two EBT™ scans. To be eligible for the Beyond Endorsed Lipid Lowering with EBT™ Scanning (BELLES) study, you must be a woman who is: 55 to 75 years of age postmenopausal (no menstrual period for at least one year or on hormone replacement therapy for one year) diagnosed with high cholesterol and not taking any cholesterol-lowering drugs for the past three months. The purpose of the BELLES study is to measure the effect of 12 months of cholesterol lowering medication on a participant’s total coronary calcium score, which is the measurement taken during EBT™ scanning. For more information about the BELLES clinical study, call Kathleen Dowd, R.N., Research Coordinator, at 201-996-3990. Return to Top Educational Resources and Web Links   American Heart Association