Heart disease tends to remain one of the leading causes of deaths globally, but modern medical advancements are aiding in early detection & proper treatments. One such advancement is the angiogram CT scan, which happens to be a powerful, non-invasive imaging technique that is used for assessing heart health. This cutting-edge procedure tends to give clear, detailed pictures of the coronary arteries, which makes it invaluable for diagnosing several cardiovascular diseases.
What Is an Angiogram CT Scan & What Can It Show?
An angiogram CT scan is an imaging test used to diagnose a variety of vascular diseases, including aneurysms, arteriosclerosis, & blood clots. Let us look at how a CT angiogram works, and when & why you should get one. Let us also delve deeper into the details of what an angiogram CT scan can show & how it compares to a low-dose CT coronary artery calcium test.
What Is an Angiogram CT Scan?
Computed tomography angiogram (CTA) or computed tomography angiography happens to be an imaging test, which forms detailed pictures of different blood vessels & tissues in the body. This type of imaging technique tends to use computed tomography that takes thousands of x-rays at once to give detailed images of specific regions of the body. CT with angiogram also uses a type of contrast injection that helps visualise the blood vessels & surrounding tissues. The CT scanner itself is a ring-shaped machine with a tunnel that the examination table fits into. Once the scan is started, x-rays are used to examine specific areas of the body. A nearby computer converts this information into an image, which is then read by a radiologist.
CT Angiogram Coronary
The process of a CT angiogram coronary tends to involve the use of a contrast dye injected into the bloodstream, which highlights the blood vessels during the scan. As the dye moves through your body, the CT scanner tends to capture a series of images, which are all compiled into a detailed 3D image of your coronary arteries. This non-invasive process is less risky than traditional angiograms that need catheter insertion. This makes it a safer option for many patients.
Benefits of Coronary Angiogram CT
For patients experiencing symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, a cardiac CT angiography tends to provide a number of benefits over more invasive procedures used earlier.
- First of all, it is quick & convenient, usually completed in less than one hour or so.
- Second, the images generated are highly detailed. This helps doctors to detect even the smallest blockages or abnormalities.
- Also, the CT angiogram coronary gives a clearer & more comprehensive view than standard X-rays. This makes it a perfect choice for early detection of heart issues.
- Another main benefit of CT scan angiography of coronary arteries is its ability to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) in the early stages. Since CAD happens to be a leading cause of heart attacks, early detection & treatment can considerably lessen the risk of a life-threatening event. In fact, as per recent studies, the accuracy of computed tomography coronary angiography in detecting CAD has proven comparable to more invasive procedures. This makes it the go-to diagnostic tool for many heart doctors.
Why Do We Need a CT Angiogram?
Doctors tend to prescribe a CT with angiogram when they are looking for abnormalities in the blood vessels in a particular area. Depending on the area of the body being affected, a CTA can be performed in different areas of the body, including the heart, brain, and kidneys.
Conditions That Could Be Diagnosed
- Aneurysm: This is an enlargement of a blood vessel that grows over time and can eventually rupture or bleed. Aneurysms can occur anywhere in the body, but the biggest problem areas are in the brain, the coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply blood to the heart), and the aorta, the largest artery in the body.
- Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a buildup of cholesterol or plaque in blood vessels that can narrow them over time. This increases the risk of high blood pressure & vascular disease.
- Arteriovenous Malformations: AVMs are abnormal connections between veins & arteries that can rupture or bleed.
- Blood Clots: Blood clots can be seen on a CT angiogram. These may include pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs that has travelled, usually from a vein in the leg.
- Blood Flow to the Tumour: A CT angiogram can also assess the blood flow or blood supply to a tumour, which can help when planning surgery to remove the tumour.
How Is a CT with Angiogram Done & How to Prepare for It?
- You may need to stop eating for a few hours before your scan. Make sure you wear comfortable clothing and remove all metal objects before the test, as metal can interfere with CT images. When you arrive at the imaging center, you will change into a hospital gown and lie down on an examination table.
- Before your CT exam, it is crucial to inform your CT technologist about any medical conditions you have, such as kidney disease or diabetes, as the contrast dye used can impact kidney function, especially for individuals with a history of kidney disease or diabetes.
- You will need to have an IV line inserted for the contrast dye injection, so make sure to notify your CT technician if you have had any allergic reactions to IV contrast in the past. In some cases, individuals with a history of contrast dye allergy may receive pre-medication with steroids to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
- Upon injection of the contrast material, you might experience a rapid sensation of warmth as it spreads throughout your body, along with a brief metallic taste in your mouth. Following this, you will be positioned in the scanner for image capture.
- The duration of an angiogram CT scan can be as short as 15 minutes, depending on the area being scanned, but it may take longer for additional images. For instance, during a CT coronary angiogram, medication such as beta-blockers might be necessary to lower the heart rate and improve image quality.
CAC Scan & Angiogram CT Scan
A CAC scan happens to be a specific type of CT scan, which looks for calcium deposits in the heart’s arteries.
- An angiogram CT scan is focused on blood vessels using contrast dye and can diagnose various vascular conditions, whereas a coronary calcium computed tomography scan produces heart images without contrast dye. It is a screening test for individuals with a family history of coronary artery disease but no symptoms.
- A low-dose cardiac CT with coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring may be appropriate for individuals seeking more information about their heart health but is not recommended for those with a known history of heart disease.
- While coronary CT angiography can diagnose a wide range of conditions, it can also help prevent life-threatening events like heart attacks or strokes by identifying narrowing in heart-supplying blood vessels. In contrast, a coronary calcium scan can detect calcium deposits in heart blood vessels, aiding in predicting the risk of future heart attacks and determining the potential benefits of medications such as statins.
- It has been repeatedly demonstrated that CAC scoring is helpful in determining individuals who are at high risk of heart disease but do not yet exhibit any symptoms or indicators. A CT with CAC scoring and a CT coronary angiography differs significantly in that the former typically exposes patients to a much lower amount of radiation than the latter.
Be Proactive about Your Heart Health!
Being proactive about your heart health is crucial. A cardiac CT angiogram is effective in diagnosing vascular conditions such as cardiovascular disease, and CT with CAC scoring can help identify individuals at high risk of heart disease before symptoms appear. To arrange a CT angiography test, get in touch with Dr. Arun Hari at the department in the LLH hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Reach Out to the Best Doctor in Town!
For those living in or visiting Abu Dhabi (UAE), Doctor Arun Hari, a specialist at LLH Hospital, tends to offer expert care in cardiovascular diagnostics & treatments. Whether you need a routine check-up or an advanced angiogram CT scan, Dr. Hari along his team provide brilliant services to help maintain your heart health. If you are considering a CT scan angiography of coronary arteries, you can trust Dr. Arun’s expertise to provide accurate diagnostics & individualised care. Contact his department at LLH Hospital to schedule your CT angiography coronary today & take the 1st step toward safeguarding your heart.
