Indeed, at the worst (risk 1:1000), fragments of pre-existing deposits (fat-calcium-thrombus composites) attached to the arterial walls may get dislodged from there as a result of the catheter manipulation within the aorta and may cause a stroke in rare cases.

Thus, the question arises; "Is there an alternative to avoid such heart catheterization with the same amount of necessary information about the situation of the coronary vessels?". The problem of imaging the heart is its movement. Ultra fast scanning is required to obtain good quality images. The new coronary dual source CT scanner (Siemens’ SOMATOM Definition) is the fastest CT scanner world wide. One of currently 10 installed devices in Germany is located in the HerzZentrum Saar.

Within few milliseconds, this coronary CT scanner delivers three-dimensional images of the heart and of the coronary vessels; these allow to visualise the extent of vessel modifications even at early stages. Therefore the physicians at the HerzZentrum Saar see in this revolutionary technology new possibilities for early diagnosis by screening high-risk subjects. Indeed, this examination can give detailed information about the general state of your heart’s health without any risk.