Dr. Edgar H. Tan, a consistent honor student graduated Bachelor of Science major in Biology cum laude from Silliman University in 1982. A Faculty Silver Medal Awardee and graduated cum laude when he earned his Medical Degree from Cebu Doctors' College of Medicine in April of 1986.

He spent one year of post graduate internship at the prestigious Philippine General Hospital from May 1, 1986 to April 30, 1987 and subsequently passed his Philippine Medical Licensure Exam rank #15 in August of 1987. He pursued further training in Internal Medicine from 1989-1993 under the New York Medical College Program where he served as the Administrative Chief Medical Resident for one year. He subsequently did his Fellowship Training in Clinical/Invasive Cardiology under the consortium of Metropolitan & New York Medical College Program from 1993-1996. After his medical training in New York he practiced Internal Medicine/Invasive Cardiology in the State of South Carolina from 1996-1997 with privileges at Marlboro Park Hospital Bennettsville SC & McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence SC. He holds an active medical license in the State of South Carolina from 1996 up to the present. He decided to come back to Cebu and practice his profession starting February 1998. His foresight at keeping his US medical license active inspite of practicing medicine outside the US has come handy for US expats currently in the Philippines wanting medical care recognized by US HMO's.

Dr. Tan is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Cardiovascular Disease and Philippine College of Physicians. He is also trained and certified in the field of Nuclear Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology and Philippine College of Physicians. His extensive background comes handy by making available the highest standard of US quality medical care right in the heart of Cebu City.

He is affiliated with Cebu Doctors' University Hospital, where he is currently the Section Head of Cardiology Department. He is also affiliated with UCMed and Perpetual Succour Hospital. His practice includes General Internal Medicine & Adult Clinical/Interventional Cardiology. He has admitting privileges at the University of Cebu Medical Center, Cebu Doctors' University Hospital & Perpetual Succour Hospital.

His office is located at Cebu Doctors' University Hospital Medical Arts Building 1, Suite 203-B, OsmeƱa Blvd. Cebu City Philippines. His office hours are 9am-12pm Mon-Sat. and 2pm to 5pm except Wed. and Sat. Tel: (032) 412-5136.

Email:EdgarTan62@yahoo.com or EdgarTanMD@gmail.com

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Cardiac Application of 64-Slice CT

Ever since CDUH (Cebu Doctors' University Hospital) got it's first GE 64-slice CT, a lot of queries arose about the usefulness of this machine in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Indeed it is revolutionary in the sense that we can now have a noninvasive tool to evaluate out patient acutely with less time delay once they get admitted with chest pains from the ER. Here are some of the facts:

1. It is a good screening tool for coronary artery disease (CAD) by detecting coronary calcium score. Calcium scoring is used as a surrogate marker for CAD. It is good but just like anything else in life we live with statistical data and probabilities hence, it is never to be considered fool proof.

2. Multislice CT angiography, is a diagnostic tool for the evaluation of the vasculature including the coronary ciculation, pulmonary, renal, peripheral vasculature and many more. I reserve this test to patients who are adverse to doing the invasive coronary angiography.

3. This test is not for all, there are limitations to each and every test including, the presence or absence of renal insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, degree of coronary calcification and the like. The best way is to consult your own physician regarding the appropriateness of such test in your case.

4. Patients with documented or a highly probable CAD (prior MI, strongly positive stresstest) need not take this test. It is preferable to go ahead and proceed with the invasive angiography because this is not only a diagnostic but also an avenue for therapeutic intervention (Angioplasty). CT angiogram is purely a diagnostic test only.

5. MSCT is a good and excellent diagnostic tool we have for the evaluation of acute chest pains in the ER because CT personnel in the hospital are almost always ready 24/7.