Streamlined Cardiac CT
A Comprehensive Approach to Cardiac Care
At Advara HeartCare, it is our purpose to improve Australia’s Heart Health. To do this, we are committed to delivering integrated cardiac care that works for both patients and doctors. Our streamlined cardiac CT pathways combine expert Cardiologist opinions with the diagnostic power of cardiac CT, allowing your patients rapid access to world-class cardiovascular care.
Helping GPs reduce their patients' cardiac investigation latency
With our streamlined CT pathways, clinically appropriate patients have rapid access to cardiologist review, and if appropriate are referred for a CT scan directly. This reduces delay in their diagnostic process and enables specialist review and management, resulting in continuity of care and world-class patient experience.
Indications to refer patients for Cardiac CT7
Symptomatic
Streamlined CT Coronary Angiogram for Symptomatic patients
For symptomatic patients, CTCA includes all the information of a calcium score and identifies the degree of coronary stenoses caused by calcified or non-calcified plaque, which are the known cause of most myocardial infarctions.
In patients with stable symptoms suggestive of CAD (such as stable chest pain, SOB, fatigue), but without previously documented CAD, CTCA is often the preferred investigation in the first instance.
*Medicare rebates are available for this test
Asymptomatic
Calcium Score Scan for Asymptomatic Patients
For asymptomatic patients, calcium scores—in addition to clinical risk assessments—can be useful to enhance precision in cardiac event risk prediction and to provide guidance for pharmacological treatment decisions.3
This scan shows a score that represents the amount of calcified plaque built up in the coronary arteries and can help reclassify a patient’s risk either up or down, as referenced in the new Australian Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator, leading to better cardiac management. Any non-zero score indicates the presence of calcified atherosclerosis.
Calcium scores are expressed in absolute values alongside a percentile, which considers factors such as sex, age, and ethnicity. The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) classifies calcium scores into distinct categories associated with a specific level of cardiovascular risk.
Risk Classification – CAC Score
7 Coronary artery calcium in primary prevention – Australian Journal of General Practice – Volume 49, Issue 8, August 2020
| Calcium Score | Interpretation | Risk Of Myocardial Infarction/Stroke At 10 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Very low risk
|
<1% |
| 1-100 |
Low risk
|
<10% |
| 101-400 |
Moderate risk
|
10-20% |
| 101-400 >75th percentile |
Moderately high risk
|
15-20% |
| >400 |
High risk
|
>20% |
Refer a patient for Cardiac CT (CAC or CTCA)
Select the referral form for your state. All forms are PDF, print-ready, and can be signed and faxed to your nearest centre.
NSW
New South Wales
For practices in NSW referring to Advara HeartCare New South Wales centres.
SA
South Australia
For practices in SA referring to Advara HeartCare South Australia centres.
WA
Western Australia
For practices in WA referring to Advara HeartCare Western Australia centres.
The role of Cardiac CT in early detection of CAD
CTCA scans detect the presence of luminal stenoses in the coronary arteries and is indicated generally only for patients experiencing potential symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain. A calcium score on the other hand is used to detect the presence or absence of calcified atheromatous disease and is indicated generally in risk assessment and management decisions around lipid lowering therapy.
Cardiac CT: What Does it Show?
Asymptomatic Patients
Calcium Score (CAC) — Asymptomatic Patients
This scan shows a score that represents the amount of calcium buildup in the coronary arteries. Any non-zero score indicates the presence of atherosclerosis.
Symptomatic Patients
CT Coronary Angiogram (CTCA) — Symptomatic Patients
CTCA shows the calcium score, and additionally the presence or absence of stenosis in the coronary arteries – whether they are calcified or not.
This test is available at the following locations:
Doncaster East, VIC
Milton, QLD
Murdoch, WA
St Andrew’s Hospital SA
Burwood, NSW
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our services, appointments, and billing.
Which patients should be considered for a streamlined CTCA instead of a Calcium Score?
Typically
- Patients with stable symptoms suggestive of CAD (stable chest pain, SOB, fatigue), but without previously documented CAD.
- Patients with a history of previous tests, such as stress echo, or those who had a calcium score test=0, but have subsequently developed symptoms of chest pain.1
Which patients should have a streamlined CTCA instead of an Exercise Stress Echo?
What is the Radiation Dose of a CTCA?
The type of examination involved determines each dose. So too do other factors such as the specific type of equipment used, the patient’s age, gender, body size and anatomy.
Our trained medical staff consider all these factors. They only scan the part(s) of the body required and aim to keep the dose as low as possible while still achieving effective results.
Are Medicare rebates available for Streamlined CTCA?
Medicare rebates are available for CTCA provided the following conditions are met:
- (a) the request is made by a specialist or consultant physician; and
- (b) the patient has stable or acute symptoms consistent with coronary ischaemia; and
- (c) the patient is at low to intermediate risk of an acute coronary event, including having no significant cardiac biomarker elevation and no electrocardiogram changes indicating acute ischaemia (R).
Visit the MBS website for detailed information.
Where is Streamlined CTCA offered?
Currently, our streamlined CTCA service is offered in 4 major metro areas in Australia
- QLD: Milton, Sunshine Coast
- SA: St Andrew’s Hospital
- VIC: Doncaster East
- WA: Murdoch
- NSW: Burwood
How quickly do I receive results?
Once a CTCA scan is performed, results and any cardiac findings are reported back to your practice within 2 business days*
* 2 business days is the average time it takes for results to be reported back to referring doctors. Final reporting times may vary on each separate case based on each patient and location.
What happens after the test?—how are results managed?
If the patient tests positive for CAD, results are discussed directly with the patient and the referring doctor–often immediately post-scan. Our team will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for the individual.