CT Angiography: A Non-Invasive Look at Your Heart and Vessels

Traditional angiography requires threading a catheter through your blood vessels — an invasive hospital procedure. CT angiography (CTA) gives physicians many of the same answers using only an IV and a CT scanner. It is one of the most significant advances in cardiovascular imaging.

What Is CT Angiography?

CTA uses a CT scanner combined with IV contrast dye to create detailed 3D images of your blood vessels. The contrast makes blood vessels light up on the images, allowing the radiologist to evaluate them for blockages, aneurysms, narrowing, and other abnormalities.

The entire scan takes about 10-20 minutes. Processing creates 3D reconstructions that let the radiologist virtually fly through your blood vessels.

Types of CT Angiography

Coronary CTA (Heart) Coronary CTA evaluates the arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle. It can detect: - Plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) before it causes symptoms - Significant blockages that may need stenting or surgery - Coronary artery anomalies (abnormal vessel anatomy) - Bypass graft patency (whether prior surgical grafts are open)

Coronary CTA is increasingly used as a first-line test for chest pain evaluation, reducing unnecessary cardiac catheterizations.

Aortic CTA The aorta is the body's largest blood vessel. CTA can detect: - Aortic aneurysms (dangerous ballooning of the vessel wall) - Aortic dissection (a tear in the vessel wall — a medical emergency) - Post-surgical monitoring of aortic repairs

Peripheral CTA (Legs) CTA of the legs evaluates blood flow from the aorta down to the feet, identifying: - Peripheral artery disease (PAD) blockages - Pre-surgical mapping before bypass surgery - Post-intervention surveillance

Carotid/Cerebral CTA (Neck and Brain) CTA of the neck and head can detect: - Carotid artery stenosis (narrowing — a stroke risk factor) - Brain aneurysms - Arteriovenous malformations - Acute stroke evaluation (which vessel is blocked)

Pulmonary CTA (Lungs) A PE study — the most common emergency CTA: - Detects pulmonary embolism as described by the NHLBI (blood clots in the lung arteries) - Critical for patients with sudden shortness of breath and chest pain - Results available within minutes in emergency settings

When Is CTA Ordered?

Your physician may order a CTA for: - Chest pain (especially atypical or intermediate-risk) - Screening for coronary artery disease in high-risk patients - Known or suspected aortic aneurysm - Pre-surgical planning - Suspected pulmonary embolism - Stroke evaluation - Leg pain suggesting PAD

Preparation

Coronary CTA (Specific Prep) - Avoid caffeine for 12 hours before the exam (coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate) - Heart rate matters — we need a slow, steady heart rate (ideally under 65 bpm). You may be given a beta-blocker medication before the scan. - Nitroglycerin may be placed under your tongue to dilate the coronary arteries - Fast for 4 hours before the exam

General CTA Prep - Inform us about kidney disease, diabetes, or metformin use - Tell us about any prior reactions to contrast dye - Stay hydrated before and after the exam - A blood test for kidney function (creatinine) may be required

What to Expect

1. An IV is placed in your arm
2. You lie on the CT scanner table
3. EKG leads are placed on your chest (for coronary CTA)
4. Contrast dye is injected through the IV — you may feel a warm flush and metallic taste (normal, lasts 30-60 seconds)
5. The scanner takes images in a few seconds during a breath hold
6. Total time: 15-30 minutes (including prep)

CTA vs. Traditional Angiography

CTA is diagnostic — it shows the problem. If a significant blockage is found, a catheter procedure may still be needed for treatment. But CTA prevents many unnecessary invasive procedures.

Radiation and Safety

Modern CT scanners use low-dose techniques, and coronary CTA radiation exposure has decreased dramatically — now comparable to a few mammograms. The benefit of diagnosing heart disease far outweighs this small radiation exposure.

At AMI

We are expanding our cardiac imaging capabilities. If your physician has ordered a CT angiography study, call us at (727) 398-5999 to discuss scheduling and preparation, or request an appointment online.