1 Pathophysiology2 Risk Factors3 Clinical Features4 Investigations5 Management5. Abstract. 9 billion each year from 2018 to 2019. This is also called ischemia. Normally, the coronary arteries do not contain calcium. Pediatric Cardiology « Back to top Abraham Groner. The coronary arteries and its branches supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The CAC Consortium, a multicenter, retrospective, real-world cohort study, was established to investigate the association between CAC and long-term, cause-specific mortality. 4. 4. There is a close relationship between coronary calcium burden and atherosclerosis despite not all plaques being calcified. Methods. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the U. m. Overview. Coronary heart disease. Previously considered a cholesterol storage disease, we currently. This narrows or blocks the artery and can cause a heart attack because blood flow can’t reach the heart. Northeast Ohio: 800. The Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) is a standardized reporting method for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Treatment decisions regarding coronary revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) should be based on clinical indications, regardless of sex, race, or ethnicity, because there is no evidence that some patients benefit less than others, and efforts to reduce disparities of care are. This disease has been proved to be the major cause of death in both the developed and developing countries. In older asymptomatic patients with risk factors. Previously considered a cholesterol storage disease, we currently. These blood vessels are called the coronary arteries. 6 Meta-analyses of exercise-based, cardiac rehabilitation studies have suggested that exercise training reduces cardiac mortality in coronary. Abstract. weakness or numbness in the face or limbs, often on one side of. About half of people in the United States (47%) have at least one of these three risk factors. This plaque builds up inside artery walls and can cause the arteries to narrow and stiffen. The equation, difference = ± 1. A 61-year-old woman presented with aggressive coronary artery disease as an unusual first manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome. Because of the existence of many possible interindividual normal anatomic variants, the term CAA has historically been restricted to those occurring in <1% of the general population. This is usually due to cholesterol-containing deposits called plaques. Overview. A common sequence variant, rs10811661, on chromosome 9p21 near the CDKN2A (600160) and CDKN2B (600431) genes has been associated with risk of type II. Angina usually causes uncomfortable pressure, fullness,. Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back. 5 million residents in the Sacramento region are hypertensive also known as having high blood pressure. Coronary artery spasm is a sudden hypercontraction of the microvascular or epicardial coronary vessels that causes near or total occlusion of the vessel and a. By lowering your risk factors and losing your fears, you can live a full life despite CAD. Whole grains. A tiny balloon on a narrow tube, called a catheter, is used to widen a clogged artery and improve blood flow. Although there is likely overlap between INOCA and myocardial infarction (MI) with no obstructive coronary arteries, which appears to be increasingly. Below are some of the best options around Sacramento. A, Coronary artery section showing pathological intimal thickening with lipid accumulation (black arrows). Carotid Artery Screening. heart failure and coronary artery disease (narrowing. A coronary angiogram is a procedure that uses X-ray imaging to see your heart's blood vessels. Background Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, but the best revascularization method for multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) patients is still controversial. This usually happens because one or more of the heart's arteries is narrowed or blocked, also called ischemia. The. It uses near-infrared light to create images from inside your coronary artery. Diabetes mellitus is a prominent cause of death in the United States, with the presence of coronary artery disease. Imaging techniques provide direct assessment of coronary atherosclerotic burden and pathological characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions which may predict the. Richard Kaplon and Dr. Skinless poultry and fish. Lippincott-Raven, 1996, vol 1, pp 401–420. Find out more about our specialized services below. Introduction. Cardiac muscle requires blood flow to function. Editorial: Becker RC. HeartFlow CT Scan Analysis — Following a CT scan, the HeartFlow CT Scan Analysis can be used to help diagnose coronary artery disease. H. browse our specialists. 1 Atherosclerotic plaque represents the hallmark lesion of atherosclerosis. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the. The traditional procedure (non-CT angiogram) uses a flexible tube. 126). One way used only the traditional risk factors, like smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes. As such, it is an important tool in cardiovascular risk stratification and preventive treatment of asymptomatic patients with unclear cardiovascular disease risk. This is due to the buildup of cholesterol and other material, called plaque, on. Feeling fatigued. 1 Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease is the leading cause of deaths attributable to CVD and accounts for almost 45% of all cases. Students from far and near begin medical studies at Stanford . Filter. Nat. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome affecting a young, apparently healthy population. Coronary calcium as a predictor of coronary events in four racial or ethnic groups. Find great cardiologists in Sacramento, CA. Various atherosclerotic lesions seen in coronary artery disease. 3. The most common forms of CVD are: • Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease, is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart caused by a buildup of Starting with the coronary dominance, the PDA in 70% of patients arises from the right coronary artery (known as right dominance); in about 10% of cases, a branch from the LCx supplies the inferior segment of the heart (known as left dominance). Coronary Artery Disease; Electrophysiology (Arrhythmia) Heart Disease Prevention; Heart Failure Services; Heart Rhythm Disorders; Heart Valve Disease; Interventional. 6% (35/55), and the positive predictive value was 94. Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) include several congenital conditions characterized by abnormal origin or course of any of the 3 main epicardial coronary arteries. More than 170,000 people in New Zealand have it and it’s the main cause of heart attacks and angina. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Boyd views the operative field in 3D on a video. Yet, information regarding near- (5-year) and long-term (15-year) prognostication of CAC=0 among diabetic individuals remains sub-optimal at present. 8% (90/110), and the specificity was 87. The complex process of atherosclerosis begins early in life and is thought to initiate with dysfunction of endothelial cells that line the coronary arteries; these cells are no longer able to. Phone: 650-725-5909. The equation, difference = ± 1. This provides a 3-dimensional cross-section that will show whether your arteries have become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup, which can be an indicator for coronary artery. Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR), together with CABG and. 45. This increased workload can result in pain, pressure, and a squeezing sensation in the chest,. We’ll help you get care. It branches from the left main coronary artery, which carries oxygenated blood to the left side of your heart. A woman’s heart and blood vessels are smaller, and the muscular walls of women’s hearts are thinner. Heart attack. Meet our Coronary Artery Disease Specialists. To find out our current rate for this procedure, please call 1-319-356-7102. trouble speaking or slurred speech. In this coronary angiogram (X-ray), the dye makes visible two occluded coronary arteries, with noticeable narrowing pointed out in the circumflex artery and the common trunk of the left coronary artery. It is a thickening and hardening of the arterial wall, accompanies aging, and is related to major adverse impact on the cardiovascular system. Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart failure, also called congestive heart failure. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is characterized by atherosclerotic plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries, which is a prolonged and indolent process that may or may not progress towards luminal obstruction []. Myron Prinzmetal described a different entity of. Find out about convenient care options for Coronary Artery Disease Services in Sacramento at Sutter Health. Low- fat dairy products. A stent is often placed during or immediately after angioplasty. Evaluation of risk scores derived from the health family tree program. Although the narrowing can be caused by a blood clot or by constriction of the blood vessel, most often it is caused by buildup of. Circulation. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. Find the best for you: Anna Tzeitel (Pascual) Abalos, MD, Lorraine Abate, MD, Elisabeth Abdin, MD, Philip Abela,. A CAC test, also called a heart scan, is a CT scan of your heart done with a multidetector CT (MDCT) that takes detailed images of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Sometimes it’s just called heart. Symptoms of heart disease can be different in women and men. Half of. Carmichael, CA, 95608. Rohit Bhaskar, MD, is an Internal Medicine specialist practicing in Folsom, CA. The result can be chest pain and heart attack. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances found in the blood. If you have the gumption to make major changes to your lifestyle, you can, indeed, reverse coronary artery disease. Objective To determine whether coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) should be performed in patients with any clinical probability of coronary artery disease (CAD), and whether the diagnostic performance differs between subgroups of patients. Introduction. Two of these arteries arise from a common stem, called the left main coronary artery. Coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease, is the accumulation of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, which are the major blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U. INTRODUCTION. Those who reported using e-cigarettes were younger than nonusers (33 years of age on average vs. Dr. 21. Heart disease, the most common manifestation of CVD, remains the. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death—and the most common type of heart disease—in the United States, where it affects around 18 million adults. Pathological coronary artery anatomy for a patient with coronary artery disease (CAD). Although atherosclerosis is often considered. This image below shows what happens during a heart attack. But most people only know about one type. ; Advanced diagnostic tests that can determine the function of the coronary arteries and give a specific diagnosis for this hard-to-detect disease. This can make it harder to diagnose and cause. Aspirin’s role in primary prevention of coronary artery disease is constantly up for debate as there is controversy on its efficacy in preventing primary cardiovascular events . [1] The endothelial cells have a tightly regulated vascular homeostasis mechanism, failure of which leads to atherosclerotic disease process. , of the Johns. 1-4 Although in some subjects there is a history of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or previous cardiac arrest, a significant proportion of. Calcium in the coronary arteries may be a sign of coronary artery. Coronary artery disease (CAD) causes impaired blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Find the best for you: Dr. (916) 887-4040. Coronary calcium does not accurately predict near-term future coronary events in high-risk adults. 9 million deaths in 2016 1. A coronary computed tomography (CT) scan is a high-resolution picture of your heart and the blood vessels that supply it (called the coronary arteries). Methods and Results. ventricular tachycardia Irregular heartbeat Coronary artery disease Abnormal heart. Angina pectoris is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease . Overview. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the world-wide leading cause of death not only in high-income countries but also increasingly in developing countries. Vertebral artery disease. Heart disease kills one Australian every 24 minutes. The scientific advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD) have led to a decrease in the mortality (in age-adjusted subjects) towards the turn of the 20th century []. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot. Coronary artery disease. People with high blood pressure and heart disease are at increased risk for serious. The metabolomic analysis of human fluids can provide an insight into the pathogenesis of complex disease. Decreased cardiac output related to the disease process of coronary artery disease (CAD) as evidenced by fatigue and inability to do ADLs as normal. These Sacramento, CA hospitals were ranked best by US News & World Report for treating. These findings provide further evidence for an important role of 1p13. View an animation of a stent (link opens in new window). CDT; AI uses voice biomarkers to predict coronary artery disease March 24, 2022, 04:59 p. Heart disease cost the United States about $239. 2nd Floor, Room A260. Rush, Oak Park. There are 2 different types of coronary CT scans: a coronary CT angiogram and a coronary artery calcium scan. This is a buildup of plaque and cholesterol inside your coronary arteries, which supply blood to your heart muscle. 2 Leading a heart healthy life is essential to preventing further damage from coronary artery disease. The buildup narrows your artery so much that the oxygen-rich blood your heart needs can’t get through, and your heart muscle becomes starved for oxygen. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is not a single disease, but a spectrum of diseases that occur in the heart and circulatory system. Even a brief pause in blood supply can cause problems. 4 and –13. Women may have less typical symptoms, such as neck or jaw pain, nausea and fatigue. Weed is not good for your heart. People who have one are likely to have the other. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. The TIMI flow grading system. Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) detects tissue damage or problems with blood flow in the heart or coronary arteries. In 2021, coronary artery disease killed 375,500 people in the U. This buildup causes the inside of the arteries to become narrower and slows down the flow of blood. Coronary artery disease — also called coronary vascular, arteriosclerotic and ischemic heart disease — remains the leading cause of death in the United States. These plaques are made up of fatty deposits, inflammatory cells, calcium, and. Pediatric Cardiology « Back to top Abraham Groner. Aortoiliac occlusive disease. This means that once diagnosed with CAD, you have to learn to live with it for the rest of your life. It typically involves the formation of plaques in the lumen of coronary arteries that impede blood flow. It results from occlusion of the coronary arteries and results in a demand-supply mismatch of oxygen. Another study of suspected coronary artery disease patients 73 found that 90% of a group of 108 patients with calcification detected by conventional CT had significant stenosis (greater than 75% narrowing), whereas, of 121 patients with significant stenosis on angiography, 80% had calcification on CT. In general, aim to limit your consumption of saturated fats and salt. 4676 London: +44 20 3423 7500 Request an Appointment. Antithrombotic Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease. Here, we review articles related to CAD published in ATVB in the past 2 years from 2018 to 2019. Angioplasty treats atherosclerosis in the major arteries in your arms, legs and pelvis. Coronary artery disease. Chest pain. A buildup of calcium can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart. Saturated fats can increase cholesterol, which is one of the main culprits of. At Providence, we take a team-based approach to treating your heart. Treatments such as CABG can reduce coronary artery blockages and. Subsequent coronary angiography revealed a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the right coronary artery with brisk collateral flow from the left anterior descending artery . Summary: People with celiac disease may have a near two-fold increased risk of coronary artery disease compared with the general population. Nonsurgical closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent foramen ovale. Dr. Also called coronary heart disease (CHD), CAD is the most common form of heart disease and. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 1 Among these, cardiovascular disease is now recognized as the most. Nuts and legumes. This group has a female preponderance. This life-threatening condition requires immediate care. High Blood Pressure/Hypertension. Coronary calcium scans are also called cardiac calcium scoring. As profoundly calcified coronary lesions are challenging to dilate, it is difficult to deliver and. The CAC value by the Agatston method is calculated by multiplying the area of calcified plaque by the density score. Coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure in which a balloon is used to open a blockage in a coronary (heart) artery narrowed by atherosclerosis. The coronary arteries branch off the aorta and wrap around the heart, and the branches of the main arteries bring blood deep into the heart muscle. 4 and –13. It occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it needs. Download as PowerPoint. It can affect anyone. The Sutter Health network now offers the latest in cardiac imaging with HeartFlow CT scan analysis. Coronary calcification, coronary disease risk factors, C-reactive protein, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events: the St. 2. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common kind of heart disease. Clogged coronary arteries block blood flow to the muscle of the heart. Results reported in 2013 in European Heart Journal showed that by. CAD genMortality from cardiovascular disease, especially coronary artery disease (CAD), has dramatically decreased in the past few decades. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by a buildup in your arteries of fatty substances like cholesterol. Coronary artery disease is quite common in diabetes mellitus. It occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it needs. Depending on the reason for the procedure, different types of angiography may be used: coronary, aortic, or left heart ventricular. A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. Dr. Previously considered a cholesterol storage disease, we currently. feeling faint. 20 Finally, an autopsy study reported a prevalence of ≥50% coronary artery stenosis of 29% among 188 patients with fatal ischemic stroke and no history of symptomatic CAD. The most common symptom of CAD is angina, or chest pain. Open-heart surgery may include CABG (bypass surgery), heart transplant and valve replacement. This thickening, called atherosclerosis, narrows the. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular-related death worldwide [ 7 ]. 6555 Coyle Ave Suite 280. All coronary artery segments with <50% luminal stenosis in patients with a first‐time coronary angiogram between 1989 and 2017 were identified (n=2 661 245 coronary artery segments in 248 736 patients) and followed until a clinically indicated angiography within 15 years was performed or until death or end of. A CT scan takes pictures of the heart in thin sections. In about 20% of cases, there is a dual supply from both the right coronary artery and the LCx (known. The coronary arteries supply oxygen and blood to the heart. Over 18 million adults in the U. This causes the heart to have to pump harder, especially during increased activity, to send blood throughout the body. CAD is used to describe a range of clinical disorders from asymptomatic atherosclerosis and stable angina to acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI). S. Palpitations or abnormal heart rhythms. It is the most common of the cardiovascular diseases. Phone: 925-278-7017. Medications. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition which affects the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Cardiomyopathies and genetic channelopathies account for the remaining causes. I73. These blood vessels or arteries narrow or harden due to a buildup of plaque, a type of fatty deposit. A heart rhythm problem is called an arrhythmia. Coronary artery disease (CAD) accounts for approximately 610,000 deaths annually (estimated 1 in 4 deaths) and is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. . An angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. A buildup of calcium, fats and other substances in the heart arteries are often the cause. S. 90 out of 5 stars, with (30 ratings) 3941 J. 24, 2022, 02:45 p. 5 · ( b + a · mean 0. In coronary artery disease, one or more of the heart (coronary) arteries are blocked. Symptoms of coronary artery disease generally don't appear until the narrowing and hardening of coronary arteries begins to obstruct the flow of blood to the myocardium (the muscular layer of the. This causes blood flow to the heart to slow and, if not treated, can lead to a heart attack. This is the most common complication of coronary artery disease. Summary. 8120 Timberlake Way, Sacramento, CA, 95823. [8] As the disease progresses, plaque buildup can partially block blood flow to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease develops when these arteries get damaged or diseased. This is also called ischemia. It’s often hard to know if you have plaque buildup since you may not feel any symptoms. This buildup narrows the arteries and can decrease blood flow to the heart. Coronary artery disease is a condition in which there is an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the myocardium. 7822 Akron General: 330. 10q, have also been found to confer risk of type II diabetes. Methods and Results Eleven hundred fifty-five native vessel target lesions in 1117 patients were studied by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and coronary angiography. Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation With Stable Coronary Disease. Group Name: County of Sacramento Group Number: 721492 . Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when fatty deposits accumulate along the innermost layer of the coronary arteries. Cholesterol deposits in the heart arteries and inflammation usually cause coronary artery disease. The density score for 130–199 Hounsfield units (HU) is equal to 1; for 200–299 HU is 2; for 300–399 HU is 3; and a density score of 4 corresponds to 400 HU. Up to a third of people with coronary artery disease have blockages in all three of the arteries that feed the heart muscle. Codes 93653 and 93656 underwent significant bundling of related services. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. Crossref Medline Google Scholar; 36. We review here how these advances have altered our concepts of and clinical approaches to both the chronic and acute phases of CAD. 3. It is responsible for over 70% of sudden cardiac deaths . 463. (Prepared by the Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. A complete blockage in the left anterior descending artery can cause a widowmaker heart attack. The TIMI (thrombolysis in. m. There’s no one-size-fits-all diet. Coronary artery disease is the most important cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Learn more about coronary artery disease causes, symptoms, risk factors, and more. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. Plaque is made of fat, cholesterol and other materials. It occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries becomes narrow or blocked. Best Hospitals in Sacramento, CA for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery. A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. The Sutter network offers a wide. The symptoms of a heart attack can also be similar to indigestion. Coronary spasm is caused by a transient coronary narrowing due to the constriction of epicardial coronary artery, which leads to myocardial ischemia. 05. Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite advances in medical and procedural therapies. 10 ASHD Coronary Artery I25. Rohit Bhaskar, MD, is an Internal Medicine specialist practicing in Folsom, CA. Both tests take place inside a standard CT scan machine, but there are important. Imaging Doctors use cardiovascular imaging techniques, either alone or with other procedures, when they want to see into the heart, veins or arteries and produce images noninvasively. We can help you find a doctor. Timothy Lee, MD, is a Cardiovascular Disease specialist practicing in Carmichael, CA. 012; 95% confidence intervals: 0. Over time, the disruption of blood flow may cause chest pain, also known as angina, shortness of breath, and general fatigue. 1 Among these, cardiovascular disease is now recognized as the most important and leading cause of death in many. Coronary Artery Disease. Inconclusive stress test: If data gathered from a stress test does not provide a clear answer to your health concerns, we may recommend a cardiac. Timothy Lee, MD. 24, 2023, 04:15 p. Call 786-204-4200. It occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, reducing the amount of blood that reaches the heart. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the U. Background Target lesion calcium is a marker for significant coronary artery disease and a determinant of the success of transcatheter therapy. It occurs when a waxy substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Other types of heart disease include: Congenital heart disease: These are abnormalities in the size and shape of the heart that someone is. Cardiac MRI can also help explain results from other imaging tests. The link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease is strong as diabetes increases the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) by two to four fold. This can mean different things to different people, but areas of focus include smoking, diet, and exercise. m. These stents prevent the artery from closing. n/a Office cleanliness. The patient had no risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) or history of hormone replacement therapy. Providers. ; Comprehensive treatment options, including. Mercy Medical Group’s team of. A genome-wide association study in Europeans and South Asians identifies five new loci for coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. With documented coronary artery disease resulting in: Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. 8120 Timberlake Way, Sacramento, CA, 95823. 5 · ( b + a · mean 0. For example, they may include a feeling of heaviness in your chest, a stomach ache or heartburn. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a symptomatic phase of coronary atherosclerosis and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This involves combining lifestyle-altering measures, such as exercise and diet, with medical therapy. Learn more. Chest pain that can have sensations of pressure, burning, aching, or tightness. This non-invasive heart test uses your coronary CT scan to provide a personalized 3D model of your coronary arteries. The majority of patients with anginal symptoms have no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) . 4. Learn more. Owens GK: Role of alterations in the differentiated state of smooth muscle cell in atherogenesis: in Fuster V, Ross R, Topol EJ (eds): Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Examples of conditions studied include endothelial dysfunction, heart failure, mitral valve disease, pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid. This visual guide to coronary artery disease (CAD) has information on causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for the condition. 5, 6In patients with stable coronary artery disease, aspirin should be used instead of clopidogrel (Plavix) to prevent further cardiovascular events. A. UpToDate, electronic clinical resource tool for physicians and patients that provides information on Adult Primary Care and Internal Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hematology, Infectious Diseases. 7% (90/95), as seen in Table 3. Peripheral artery disease. This procedure improves blood flow to the heart. 344. A coronary artery stent is a small, metal mesh tube that expands inside a coronary artery. m. A coronary calcium scan is a special computerized tomography (CT) scan of the heart. You should also limit saturated fat, sodium, red meat, and sweets.