What is a CT Angiography (CTA )?

• Computed tomography is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than standard X-rays.
• In a CT scan, an X-ray beam moves in a circle around the body. This allows many different views of the same organ or structure. The X-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the X-ray data and displays it in a 2-D form on a monitor.
• CT scans may be done with or without "contrast." Contrast refers to a substance taken by mouth or injected into an IV (intravenous) line that causes the particular organ or tissue under study to show up more clearly on the scan.
• CT angiography used to produce detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body. During the exam, contrast material is injected through a small catheter placed in a vein of the arm. A radiologic technologist will capture high-resolution CT images while the contrast material flows through the blood vessels.
• CT angiography (CTA) help diagnose and evaluate blood vessel disease or related conditions, such as aneurysms or blockages.
• CT angiography is helpful in examining blood vessels and the organs supplied by them in various body parts, including:
• brain
• neck
• heart
• chest
• abdomen (such as the kidneys and liver)
• pelvis
• legs and feet
• arms and hands

Why do I need a CT angiography ?

Physicians use CT angiography to diagnose and evaluate many diseases of blood vessels and related conditions such as:
• aneurysms
• blockages
• blood clots
• congenital (birth-related) abnormalities of the cardiovascular system, including the heart
• disorganized blood vessels, such as vascular malformations
• injury
• tumors
• vessel rupture or tears
Also, physicians use CT angiography to check blood vessels following surgery, such as:
• Identify abnormalities, such as aneurysms, in the aorta, both in the chest and abdomen, or in other arteries.
• Detect atherosclerotic (plaque) disease in the carotid artery of the neck, which may limit blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
• Identify a small aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM)—an abnormal connection between blood vessels—inside the brain or elsewhere.
• Detect plaque disease that has narrowed the arteries to the legs and help prepare for endovascular intervention or surgery.
• Detect disease in the arteries to the kidneys or visualize blood flow to help prepare for a kidney transplant or stent placement.
• Guide interventional radiologists and surgeons making repairs to diseased blood vessels, such as implanting stents or evaluating a stent after implantation.
• Detect injury to one or more arteries in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis or limbs after trauma.
• Evaluate arteries feeding a tumor prior to surgery or other procedures such as chemoembolization or selective internal radiation therapy.
• Identify dissection or splitting in the aorta in the chest or abdomen or its major branches.
• Show the extent and severity of coronary artery disease and its effects and plan for an intervention, such as a coronary bypass and stenting.
• Examine pulmonary arteries in the lungs to detect pulmonary embolism (blood clots, such as those traveling from leg veins) or pulmonary AVMs.
• Look at congenital abnormalities in blood vessels, especially arteries in children (e.g., malformations in the heart or other blood vessels due to congenital heart disease).
• Evaluate stenosis and obstructions of vessels.

How to prepare for a CT angiography?

• 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, and diabetes or kidney disease.

In case of contrast Examinations:
• 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.