What is a CT Coronary Angiogram?

• A CT coronary Angiogram (CTCA) uses advanced CT technology, along with intravenous (IV) contrast material (dye), to obtain high-resolution, 3D pictures of the moving heart and great vessels.
• CTA is also called multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT), cardiac CT or cardiac CAT. During CTA, x-rays pass through the body and are picked up by detectors in the scanne, that produce 3D images on a computer screen. These images enable physicians to determine whether plaque or calcium deposits are present in the artery walls.
• CTA is used as a noninvasive method for detecting blockages in the coronary arteries. A CTA can be performed much faster (in less than one minute) than a cardiac catheterization, with potentially less risk and discomfort as well as decreased recovery time.

Why do I need a CT Coronary Angiography?

CT Coronary Angiography used to evaluate patients who have:
• Suspected abnormal anatomy of the coronary arteries.
• Low or intermediate risk for coronary artery disease, including patients who have chest pain and normal, non-diagnostic or unclear lab and ECG results.
• Low to intermediate risk atypical chest pain in the emergency department.
• Non-acute chest pain.
• New or worsening symptoms with a previous normal stress test result.
• Unclear or inconclusive stress test results.
• New onset heart failure with reduced heart function and low or medium risk for coronary artery disease.
• Intermediate risk of coronary artery disease before non-coronary cardiac surgery.
• Coronary artery bypass grafts.

How to Prepare for a CT Coronary Angiography?

This exam require some special preparations :
On the day before and day of your exam, you should avoid:
• Diet pills and caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, energy drinks or sodas. These may increase heart rate and limit the ability of the exam to evaluate for plaque in the coronary arteries.
• Viagra or any similar medication. They are not compatible with the medications you will receive during the procedure.
• You should not to eat or drink anything (fasting )
• For a few hours (4 to 6 h)before the exam, and do renal function test ,inform your doctor or radiology technician if you have any allergies or kidney diseases.
In addition to the general preparations needed to any CT examination :
• You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam.
• Metal objects, including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work. Women will be asked to remove underwire containing metal.
• Women should always inform their physician and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that they may be pregnant.
• You should inform your doctor of all medications you are taking and if you have any allergies.
• Inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions and whether you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes or kidney disease.