CT Scan: Coronary CTA
CT Scan: Preparation Guidelines | iDose4 | Coronary CTA | Cardiac Scoring | Dental Scan | Frequently Asked Questions
The Step & Shoot Cardiac Solution
Step & Shoot Testamonial - Low X-ray dose, high sensitivity cardiac CTA
We now offer low-dose cardiac imaging capabilities on our Philips Brilliance 64-channel CT system. Step & Shoot Cardiac Imaging is a new scanning mode that significantly reduces radiation dose without sacrificing image quality.
With the new Step & Shoot Cardiac Imaging - a prospective, ECG-gated scanning mode - the Brilliance 64 CT scanner provides high-quality images of the coronary arteries and heart anatomy at low dose levels. In addition, shorter breath hold increases patient comfort during the imaging exam.
Based on technological innovations such as arrhythmia rejection and proprietary thin-slice axial reconstruction algorithms, X-rays are turned on only during the physiologic phase of interest. The technology produces cardiac CTA scans at lower radiation dose - nearly the same as annual background radiation exposure.
Coronary CTA
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (Coronary CTA) is a revolutionary new test that is the long-awaited answer to the challenge of accurate non-invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease. It is simply a rapid CT scan performed in an outpatient setting that can detect blockages in the coronary arteries, as well as early atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary artery walls that even cardiac catheterization (coronary angiography), the “gold standard” test, may not detect.
This safe non-invasive test can lead to early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, the leading cause of death in this country. As a result, preventative treatment can be administered to those at risk, and guide therapy for existent disease in many cases, without the risks associated with cardiac catheterization, an invasive test whereby a catheter is passed through an artery in the groin or arm into the heart followed by injection of x-ray dye.
When patients with symptoms undergo invasive cardiac catheterization approximately 40 percent have no significant abnormality. Most of them can be spared invasive cardiac catheterization by first having a Coronary CTA.
We can now obtain detailed, whole-heart examinations in mere seconds allowing for routine cardiac function imaging, including ejection fraction, wall motion and lesion characterization. Further, the sophisticated results, often presented in 3D, are available to referring physicians within 24 hours.
Who are candidates for Coronary CTA?
Those with:
- Low or intermediate risk of coronary artery disease with atypical chest pain or shortness of breath.
- Equivocal stress testing, or as a replacement for stress testing.
- Risk factors for cardiac disease (family history, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diabetes), without symptoms.
- Cardiac stents or cardiac bypass surgery, to assess vessel patency.
- Non-cardiac surgery, as pre-operative evaluation.
What is the preparation?
- No food or drink 4 hours prior to procedure.
- Take any prescribed medication (including the morning of the exam) with a minimal amount of water.
- Please do not take: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra or similar type products 12 prior to your exam.
- Please bring a written and complete list of all medications (especially asthma medications) with you to your appointment.
- No caffeine, alcohol, nicotine or stimulants 12 hours prior to the exam.
Are there contraindications for this test?
Patients with renal insufficiency, serious allergy to iodinated contrast (xray dye), Asthma/COPD or irregular heart beat or heart block require special evaluation.
Why Cardiovascular CT?
- Non-Invasive Procedure.
- Lower risk of complications.
- Greater access to asymptomatic patients at high risk.
- Available in outpatient setting.
- Lower cost to patient and provider.
- High patient acceptance.
- Examination may result in measures which can prevent a heart attack.
