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In Germany, a new law marks a significant advance in the field of healthcare: computed tomography (CT) of the heart is now included in the benefits package covered by health insurance. This change comes in support of patients with coronary artery disease (CHD), a condition in which the heart’s arteries become calcified, increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Cardiac CT is recognized as the gold standard in the diagnosis of heart conditions. Until recently, the costs of this procedure, of approximately 500 euros, were not covered by statutory health insurance. Now, with the new regulation, patients in Germany will benefit from this vital investigation at no cost.
Coronary artery disease is characterized by calcification of the coronary arteries, which can lead to obstruction of blood flow to the heart muscle. Symptoms include shortness of breath, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, pallor, sweating, nausea and anxiety, culminating in the worst case risk of a heart attack.
CT of the heart provides a detailed picture of the coronary arteries and their changes, allowing early detection of dangerous deposits. Cardiologist professor Dr. Axel Schmermund emphasizes the advantages of this technology, which allows not only the identification of plaques, but also the analysis of their nature, leading to proactive and effective treatment. Another major benefit of cardiac CT is that it does not require invasive intervention in the body, unlike cardiac catheterization.
CT scanning is especially recommended in the early stages of coronary artery disease, when the patient has symptoms and there is suspicion of narrowing of the coronary arteries. Prof. Dr. Konstantin Nikolaou, President of the German X-ray Society, recommends cardiac CT as the imaging modality of first choice in suspected chronic CHD.
This positive development in Germany could serve as a valuable example for Romania as well, where the introduction of such measures could significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, giving patients access to cutting-edge medical technologies.
How important do you think is the introduction of cardiac CT technology in health insurance benefits and should this measure be implemented in Romania to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases?”
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2024-01-25 13:52:15
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