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CT Coronary angiogram rules out coronary artery disease

CT Coronary angiogram rules out coronary artery disease

Cardiac (Coronary) CT Angiography

CT angiography of the coronary arteries can be performed in just 5-6 seconds of breath holding with this equipment. Motion free imaging of the heart produces images with sub millimeter resolution that can be used to analyze calcified and non-calcified plaques in the coronary arteries. The high negative predictive value of this investigation means that a normal CT coronary angiogram study ‘rules out coronary artery disease’. Also this Light speed VCT XT system acquires scan with up to 70% less radiation dose than conventional cardiac CT, using the unique snapshot method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common answers to clarify your questions.

Coronary artery disease involves progressive narrowing within the walls of the blood vessels due to formation of plaques. This process is known as Atherosclerosis and is associated with high levels of cholesterol. This can lead to ischemia (lack of oxygen) to the heart muscles resulting in chest pain (angina) or heart attack (infarction)

A family history of coronary artery disease (a disease producing hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the heart) Persistent high cholesterol levels and other high risk factors such as smoking, diabetes or high blood pressure Doubtful abnormalities on a routine treadmill test or ECG test If so, your cardiologist or physician may ask you to undergo a Cardiac CT scan to study the blood vessels supplying your heart.

CT (Computed Tomography) is a radiological method which has been used since 1947 to visualize certain regions of the body, slice by slice. Today, CT technology is an indispensable tool in medicine. It is used for routine examinations of the entire body.

Normally, a conventional coronary angiogram is done to get a picture of the arteries carrying blood to the heart muscle. With the emergence of the multi-slice spiral CT which can take 128 slices of the body in one second, we are at the threshold of a new era in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Physicians are now able to look into the coronary arteries without having to introduce a catheter. CT Coronary Angiogram allows detailed three dimensional images of the inside of the heart.

A Cardiac CT has a negative predictive value of over 99%. This means that when the study is reported to be normal, you can be rest assured that you don't have a coronary artery disease.

A CT scan is a low risk non-invasive procedure. CT scanners use X-rays to obtain images. For your safety, radiation exposure is kept to a minimum using the new step and shoot technology. The new generation non-ionic dye used during a Cardiac CT is safe.

In the case of a conventional coronary angiogram, a catheter has to be inserted in to the body, which is then manipulated into the coronary arteries. A dye is injected through the catheter in to the coronary arteries while a movie is obtained using X-rays.

A Cardiac CT on the other hand, is done just like a normal CT scan. If your heart rate is high, a medicine will be given 30 minutes to one hour before the scan to reduce the heart rate. During the examination, you will be lying on a comfortable table. A small needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm as in a blood test, and an injection of dye will be given through this needle during the scanning. You may experience a feeling of warmth during the dye injection, which will dissipate in a few seconds. Also, you will be asked to hold your breath for just 5 - 8 seconds during scan.