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Coronary CT Angiography uses a 64-slice scanner to produce detailed pictures of the heart in a few seconds and provide sharp, clear, three-dimensional images. With Coronary CT Angiography, the 64-slice scanner is able to take 192 images of the heart per second. This non-invasive, virtually pain-free procedure offers exceptional image quality, which can mean better diagnosis, faster recovery time and increased patient comfort and convenience.

The 64-slice scanner allows doctors to evaluate the most common causes of acute chest pain with a single scan. It may also permit some patients to avoid surgical procedures, such as cardiac catheterization.

For the patient, it is the same experience as with any clinical CT study where x-ray contrast is injected. Your physician uses a scanner that is able to take 192 images of the heart per second. Once the dye is injected, the actual CT scanning only takes 16 to 20 seconds. The whole procedure, in and out of the scanner, takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete, unless the patient has a high heart rate. A CT technologist and a radiologist will work closely together when performing or supervising these studies.

There is virtually no danger to the patient. The same routine precautions are taken just as they are with as will all x-ray studies requiring the injection of a dye. All images are sent to a powerful computer for post-processing and three-dimensional renderings of the heart and coronary vessels are created.

Coronary CT Angiography often detects more disease than traditional x-ray angiography alone (which only shows the vessel lumen), by also visualization the soft and calcific plaque and remodeling of the coronary vessel walls. For example, Coronary CT Angiography can be abnormal and show early plaque formation, but no luminal narrowing; in such a case, there would often (but not always) be no need to do further imaging or testing, as most follow-up cardiac stress testing or traditional angiography would be negative.

For many patients, Coronary CT Angiography may be helpful for an initial, non-invasive look at the coronary vessels. The exam can also be a great compliment to a physical exam and a work-up for heart disease (such as screening for risk factors, blood pressure and cholesterol profile blood tests), especially if the patient has a family history of heart disease, preexisting conditions or elevated cholesterol. A non-invasive coronary CT angiogram is also excellent for cardiac surgeons to follow up patients after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or for invasive cardiologists after balloon angioplasty or stent replacements.

Patients can eat as usual and take all of their medications. Since images are clearer at low heart rates, we ask that patients not drink any caffeinated drinks, including coffee, the morning of or prior to the CT exam. We prefer to see heart rates as low as 55 beats per minute (bpm). If the heart rate is over 70 bpm, we cannot guarantee good image quality. We will need to give a medication, an oral beta-blocker to slow down the heart rate, if the heart rate is elevated. This oral medication may take one to two hours to take effect.

For more information in selecting the best cardiac imaging exam, please contact Andre Duerinckx, M.D. at (336) 794-4117.

To schedule an exam, call (336) 794-XRAY.