CT Scan Studies

If your provider has ordered a coronary calcium score test, here is what to expect:

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A coronary calcium score is a fast CT scan of your heart to evaluate if you have any calcium (hard plaque) in your coronaries. You will lay down on a table and you will move in and out of the machine 3 times. The machine will tell you when to hold your breath and when to breathe. A cardiologist will evaluate these images and provide a report with a score. Generally, your heart rate needs to be lower to obtain high-quality images. Therefore, please do not drink any caffeine for 24 hours prior to your test. The test will take about 5 minutes.

If your provider has ordered a coronary CTA, here is what to expect:

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A coronary CTA is a CT scan with an injection of contrast used to evaluate the heart and coronary arteries during the arterial phase. You will lay down on a table and an IV will be started in your arm. The machine will move you in and out and tell you when to hold your breath and when to breathe. You will receive a bolus of saline followed by an injection of contrast. IV contrast will make you feel hot all over and might make you feel like you wet your pants (you will not wet your pants). Images will be obtained by the machine. Generally, your heart rate needs to be lower to obtain high-quality images. Therefore, please do not drink any caffeine for 24 hours prior to your test. Also, do not eat food for 4-5 hours prior to your test. You may be given a medication called a beta blocker that is designed to lower your heart rate for the study. A physician will evaluate the images and provide a report with your results. The test will take about 15-20 minutes.

If your provider has ordered a CT angiogram, please be aware there are many different types of tests performed here at CCA.

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A CTA of the aorta is a CT scan of the body used to evaluate arterial structures and blood flow. Images will be created and reconstructed on a computer. A physician will evaluate the images and provide a report with your results. Please do not eat for 4-5 hours prior to your test. These tests do not require you to withhold caffeine. These tests will take about 15-20 minutes. Other types of Aorta CTAs that CCA performs include the following listed below. For all of these tests, please do not eat for 4-5 hours prior to your test. These tests do not require you to withhold caffeine. These tests will take about 15-20 minutes.

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Other types of Aorta CTAs that CCA performs include the following listed below. For all of these tests, please do not eat for 4-5 hours prior to your test. These tests do not require you to withhold caffeine. These tests will take about 15-20 minutes.

 

√ CTA Thoracic

√ CTA Abdomen

√ CTA Abdomen/Pelvis

√ CTA Runoff

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