CT Coronary Angiography

What is it?

CT Coronary Angiography (CTA) is an advanced noninvasive imaging procedure that examines the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood. If a blockage develops in these arteries, a heart attack may occur. Despite great advances in medical treatment of heart disease, one out of three people who have a heart attack outside of the hospital will die before they can receive medical care. It is a sudden killer. Until now, we have been unable to detect early plaque development in the arteries unless we use an invasive angiogram, which requires working directly inside the heart with catheters, carries serious risks, and requires at least a day in the hospital. In contrast, the new CTA procedure uses an ultra-fast, noninvasive scanner to look inside the heart and determine whether a patient has any sign of cholesterol plaque formation in the arteries. It is done in less than an hour and carries much less risk. This is not the traditional CT scan of the heart that has been done in the past to detect coronary calcification. The CTA procedure can detect all types of plaque, including soft (non-calcified) plaque that is most common in younger people less than 50 years of age, as well as hard (calcified) plaque. Not only does this test detect plaque, but it can determine how severely the artery is narrowed. Knowing whether early blockage is present may make the difference between life and death for a patient if he or she can reverse that process through life-style changes and medical treatment.

Who should consider a CTA?

Anyone who is at risk for heart disease may benefit from early detection of a problem. Specifically, those people whose family members have had heart disease, including heart attacks, bypass surgery, or angioplasty may be at increased risk. Other factors that put people at risk for a heart attack at an early age include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise. Health care providers may use the CTA procedure to reevaluate a patient who has known coronary artery disease or to screen patients who have concerning symptoms such as chest discomfort or shortness of breath.

How is it done?

A patient who has this procedure will report to Minnesota Heart Clinic and an IV will be inserted. Medication may be used to slow the heart rate to eliminate excess heart motion. The patient will then lie on the procedure table and await instructions. The technologist performing the procedure will tell the patient to hold his or her breath for 15 seconds, contrast dye will be injected into the IV, and the table will move the patient through the scanner. The "donut" is a wide-open tube that scans the patient with x-rays as the patient passes through. The whole procedure takes about one hour. Patients receive no sedation and can drive themselves home after it has been completed. Each patient receives information about the procedure and will get a full report within a week.

How can you get a CTA?

A medical professional must order the CTA procedure. If you believe that you might benefit from learning more about your heart health, contact your primary care provider and request a CTA at Minnesota Heart Clinic or call us directly at (952) 836-3700. We will arrange a visit for you with one of our cardiovascular specialists and discuss with you whether a CTA is right for you.

Most insurance companies will pay for a CTA procedure. If you have concerns about insurance coverage, please contact your insurance company prior to having this test completed.

For More Information About Cardiac CT

Call (952) 836-3700 or follow the link below and a Minnesota Heart Clinic health professional will contact you.

Cardiac CT Contact Form