Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA)
General Information
The procedure is a non-invasive method of visualizing the coronary arteries by use of Computer Tomography (CT). Plaque is a build-up of fat and other substances, including calcium, which can, over time, narrow the arteries or even close off blood flow to the heart. The result may be painful angina in the chest or a heart attack. The images obtained with the CT scanner are assembled with a computer to create 2D and 3D pictures of the heart and the arteries. Although the test itself takes only a few minutes, you should plan for about 2 hours. It takes some time to get ready for the test and for observation afterwards.
Low Radiation Dose Cardiac Imaging
University Medical Imaging is always concerned with using the lowest radiation dose for all patients. Because of that concern UMI specifically purchased a software package for our VCT scanner utilizing Prospective Gating. This software can lower dose up to 83% compared to conventional cardiac CT imaging techniques while still producing high quality images.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
Avoid caffeine and smoking for four hours before the exam. If your heart rate is 60 beats a minute or higher, you may be given a drug to slow the rate in order to obtain accurate CT images.
Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
What will I experience during and after the procedure?
After filling out your required Medical History paperwork, you will be given a gown to wear during the procedure.
A nurse or will insert an introvenous (IV) line into a small vein in your hand or arm. She will go over the procedure and check your heart rate. To obtain clear pictures, a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute is needed. Since the average person's heart rate is above 60 beats per minute, medication is often given the day of the test to achieve this goal.
When the necessary heart rate is achieved, the CT Technologist will have you lie on your back on the scanner table with your arms above your head and place heart monitoring leads on your chest.
Next, the table will move quickly through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the scans. With modern CT scanners, while the system is scanning (taking pictures) you will hear only slight buzzing, clicking and whirring sounds.
The table will then move slowly through the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed. As the images are being recorded, an automatic injector machine connected to the IV will continue to inject contrast material at a controlled rate. Patients are periodically asked to hold their breath for periods of 20 to 30 seconds.
You will be alone in the exam room during the CT scan, however, the technologist will be able to see, hear and speak with you at all times.
After a CT exam, your intravenous line will be removed. The nurse will monitor your heart rate until it is stable before you leave.
Heart Disease:
Know Your Risks, Should you be concerned?
If you have one or more of these risk factors, you should talk with your physician:
· High blood pressure
· High cholesterol
· Diabetes
· Smoking
· Family history of heart disease
· Overweight
· High stress
· Sedentary lifestyle
Heart disease affects both men and women. While men are more susceptible at an earlier age, a woman’s risk of having a heart attack rises sharply after menopause.