Coronary CT Angiography
Radiology Regional specializes in Non-Invasive Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) using the 64-Slice Somatom Sensation.
64-Slice CT Somatom Sensation Allows:
- Unprecedented Image Quality & Detail
- Fastest Single Source CT Imaging
- Multislice CT Coronary Angiography
- Rule Out Coronary Stenosis
- Evaluate Bypass Grafts & Coronary Stents
If you are over fifty and have one or more of the following risk factors,
ask your doctor about CCTA:
- Diabetes
- Smoker
- High Blood Pressure
- Family History
- High Cholesterol
Multislice CT Coronary Angiography compared to Conventional Coronary Angiography.
Historically, conventional coronary angiography has been the gold standard to quantify coronary artery stenosis. Recent studies have shown that 64 Slice CT Coronary angiography compares quite favorably with conventional angiography for the detection of luminal stenosis: >50% with a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 95% and negative predictive value of 98%. In addition to quantifying luminal stenosis, coronary CTA can evaluate the degree of overall plaque burden by visualizing both calcified and noncalcified (lipid or fibrotic) plaque. Recent data also shows that coronary CTA adds prognostic data concerning cardiac events above and beyond conventional risk factors.
Top Indications for Coronary CTA:
Coronary Stenosis
1. Evaluation of chest pain in patients with low to intermediate probability of CAD
2. Preoperative evaluation for non-coronary surgery
3. Evaluation of intermittent arrhythmias
4. Alternative to invasive angiography in patients who are at high risk for conventional coronary angiography
5. Workup of equivocal nuclear stress test/stress echocardiogram
Coronary Bypass Graft Evaluation
1. Alternative to invasive angiography
2. Bypass graft not visualized on invasive angiography
Coronary Stents
1. Evaluate stent patency
Unresolved questions after cardiac catheterization
1. Coronary anomalies
Is there any preparation for the CCTA?
Patients are asked to eliminate caffeine 24 hrs prior to the examination. If a patient’s heart rate is too high, oral or intravenous beta blockers will be administered. Sublingual nitroglycerin is also administered prior to the exam to optimize visualization of the small coronary vessels.
- Nothing to eat or drink 3 hours prior to exam (except water).
- Hydrate with 32oz of water the evening before and 1 hour prior to exam.
- No caffeine, nicotine or exercise after 5pm day before exam.
- No medications except for Metoprolol, Flecanide, Amiodarone, Sotalol, and any other anti-arrhythmic medications.
- Diabetic medications are OK to take.
- Males ONLY: if taking erectile dysfunction medication, withold and do not take:
- Viagra, 3 days prior to exam
- Levitra, 3 days prior to exam
- Cialis, 5 days prior to exam
We also offer HeartFlow Analysis click here to find out more
Heart Disease Facts
- Heart disease is by far the number one killer of both men and women in the United States.
- Over one million people in the U.S. will have a heart attack this year.
- Half of all heart attacks are fatal.
- Every 60 seconds, an American suffers a fatal heart attack.
- Two out of every three first-time heart attack victims have no previous warning.
- Heart disease can be effectively managed through lifestyle modifications, medications or surgery