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Cardiac CTA (CT Angiogram)
In this CAT scan exam and i.v. is placed in a vein and contrast is injected. The procedure lasts several minutes and you may feel a warm sensation during the injection. This sensation will last briefly and is normal. The CAT scan via computer will reconstruct images of your heart which unlike the Calcium score will now give more detailed images of the cross section of the arteries of your heart. This will give your physician actual degrees of obstruction the arteries of your heart. When CTA images are compared to the invasive cardiac catheterization done at the hospital the correlation is exact in over 90% of the cases. Therefore when used in appropriate circumstances it may obviate the need for invasive cardiac catheterization.
Preparation
Patients should always check with there physician and the CAT scan department the days prior to the exam for any special preparation. Usually there is no eating or drinking for several hours prior to the exam except for small amounts of clear liquids, no caffeine on the day of the exam, but one may take there regular medicines. Remember the actual exam is as little as 30 seconds but the preparation at the CT center can be as long as 30 minutes so prepare your schedule accordingly. Normally a patient may resume normal activities after the exam but check with the CT department for any special instructions.
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Concerns
CT angiograms which involve an i.v. do expose patients to a higher dose of radiation that calcium scores. There is new technology which is being evaluated to reduce this exposure. But the diagnostic benefit of any procedure must always be weighed against the risk. Furthermore x-ray contrast may cause a rare allergic reaction and it can cause kidney problems. Patients who have iodine allergies, contrast allergies, allergies to shellfish, kidney problems, may not be ideal candidates for this procedure and may consider a calcium score first. Again always consult with your physician for direction. The above individuals may require special preparation prior to the exam if done. Also patients over 300 lbs may not be ideal candidates. |
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