Cardiologist, advanced imaging specialist brings expertise to Institute

Cardiologist and advanced cardiac imaging specialist Dr. Emel Celiker Guler, MD, recently joined the Calgary team. 

Celiker Guler received her medical and cardiology training in Istanbul, Turkey, and her advanced cardiac imaging training at Ottawa Heart Institute, where she specialized in cardiac PET technology. Cardiac PET is a non-invasive test that uses a specialized radioactive tracer to produce detailed pictures of the heart, measure blood flow to the heart, assess heart muscle health and function and detect damage in the heart. 

The technology is used to diagnose patients and help determine the best course of treatment. 

According to Celiker Guler, cardiac PET is a particularly important tool for diagnosing non-obstructive coronary artery disease, including coronary microvascular disease, which impacts the tiny blood vessels, often causing chest pain, shortness of breath, sleep problems, fatigue and a lack of energy. 

“Microvascular disease is more common in female patients, and cardiac PET gives us the tools we need to diagnose it,” says Celiker Guler, noting the condition is linked to serious cardiac events, such as heart attacks and even death.  “It’s really exciting, because we are way behind in diagnosing and treating these patients.” 

Celiker Guler, whose siblings are all doctors, first became interested in cardiology while still in medical school. 

“The first time I attended ECG class in medical school, I decided to become a cardiologist,” she says. “It was a fascinating moment.” 

What continues to intrigue Celiker Guler is the physics, techniques and rapidly changing technologies she encounters in cardiac imaging.

“To really help patients, especially challenging cases, you need to understand how the images are generated, and know the strengths and limitations of each technology,” says Celiker Guler. “That’s what really interests me about imaging.” 

Besides her clinical work, Celiker Guler is also interested in helping improve the accuracy of imaging technology to enable better diagnosis. 

To that end, she has participated in research advancing nuclear cardiology and cardiac PET, with a focus on blood flow quantification; developing new imaging techniques across modalities and disease spectra; and contributing to guideline development and best practices.

Today, Celiker Guler is focused more on microvascular physiology, teaching, and quality improvement. She is pleased with her new role and home. 

“I love everything about Calgary,” she says. “As an international medical graduate, I have worked in many different centres and systems, and I believe this is a strength. Not only does it help me avoid falling into a comfort zone, but it helps me think and communicate in different ways.” 

Celiker Guler is an assistant professor in the Dept. of Cardiac Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine. She is a member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute. She is a physician with the Women's Cardiovascular Health Clinic with a focus on non-obstructive microvascular disease.