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About Cardiac/Coronary CT Angiogram
Cardiac/Coronary CT Angiogram Q & A
What is a Cardiac CT Angiogram (CCTA)?
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) uses an injection of iodine-rich contrast material and CT scanning to examine the arteries that supply blood to the heart and determine whether they have been narrowed by plaque buildup.
Why a CCTA is Ordered?
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Suspected or confirmed Coronary Artery Disease
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Newly diagnosed Cardiomyopathy
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Suspected pericardial mass
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Veins mapping prior to device implant
How is a CCTA the same as or different from a stress test?
Stress tests look at the electrical activity of the heart and the heart’s muscle function or blood flow patterns while the heart is under stress from exercise or stress. They find areas of reduced blood flow to the heart, which sometimes indicates a coronary artery blockage.
A CCTA takes pictures of the coronary arteries themselves and can give a percentage of the amount of blockage. Contrast is usually given with this test in order to view the pictures more clearly.