Cardiac CT Angiography
Several of our doctors have completed advanced training in cardiac CT. Dr. Shammas and Dr. Clark are also Board certified in Cardiac CT. Our CT studies are performed off site and interpreted by Dr. Shammas.
A 3-D CT image of the heart.
Computed tomography (CT) is a noninvasive imaging technology that provides detailed pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. Cardiac CT angiography imaging focuses on the heart and its surrounding blood vessels. Physicians use these images to help diagnose coronary artery disease, or heart artery blockages. Cardiac CT can help doctors treat heart disease and determine if current treatments are effective. In some cases, CT angiography may prevent the need for more invasive tests.
With this scanner, doctors can view the heart and its coronary arteries from any angle. These images can lead to a completely noninvasive diagnosis and even risk assessment for coronary artery disease. A November 2008 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that CT angiography is accurate in identifying blockages and narrowing of arteries and in characterizing disease severity in patients with symptoms.
The remarkably fast dual head CT machine produces scans in just few seconds. The new scanner overcomes many of the limitations shared by some other CT scans including it's ability to acquire clear images in many patients with higher heart rates.. The speed of the scanner makes the process easier for patients who may have difficulty holding their breath during a scan.
The heart scan requires no sedation or recovery time. A dye called a contrast agent is typically given through an IV during the scan. This dye allows physicians to follow blood flow as it travels through blood vessels and the heart.
When is Cardiac CT Used?
Cardiac CT angiography is helpful in assessing a wide range of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, diseases of the aorta and other structural heart problems. It is particularly helpful in patients who have had an inconclusive stress test, but it may also be used to help surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and electrophysiologists to plan and perform complex heart procedures.
Our cardiologists will decide what is the best test for your condition. Cardiac CT angiography is just one of the many valuable tests available to evaluate heart disease. Some instances when cardiac CT may be recommended include the following:
- Chest pain and/or suspected coronary artery disease. Ultrafast cardiac CT angiography can be used as a noninvasive way to determine if chest pain is due to the blockages or narrowing of the coronary arteries. This is in contrast to a conventional catheter-based angiogram, a more invasive procedure that involves threading a catheter into blood vessels. CT angiography can help rule out the need for a catheter-based angiogram, but it does not replace the need for a catheter angiogram in all cases.
Data gathered from the CT exam helps cardiologists determine if a patient may need cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, and if other medicines or lifestyle changes are recommended to reduce the risk for heart attack or stroke. - Inconclusive stress test. If data gathered from a stress test is inconclusive, physicians may recommend a cardiac CT to look for coronary artery disease or other problems.
- Presence of other heart disease symptoms. Like the symptom of chest pain, people who exhibit other symptoms of heart disease, such as shortness of breath, neck, jaw, back or arm pain may be candidates for CT angiography.
CT angiography is not recommended as a screening tool for heart disease. As with many types of heart tests and procedures, there are risks associated with CT angiography, such as exposure to radiation and a low risk for a reaction to the contrast dye.
