Coronary CT Angiography

GRC continues to install the latest multi-detector CT technology on an ongoing basis to provide the highest quality CT Scans with advanced applications for angiography and cardiac studies, as well as other 3D applications.

CT stands for Computed Tomography or "CAT" for Computerized Axial Tomography. CT Scans are used to study and diagnose conditions in virtually every part of the body. Many conditions can be ruled out as the result of a CT Scan allowing patients to avoid surgery and other invasive medical treatments.

How does it work?

A CT Scan is an x-ray that produces computer images of a particular body part and helps diagnose conditions that a regular x-ray cannot. During a CT scan the patient lies on the table while an X-ray tube rotates around the body. A computer program is then used to project images on a monitor. The images which show a cross-section of body tissues and organs are then studied by the radiologist.

What will I have to do?

During the exam, the patient will be asked to lie still on the examination table. In many cases it is not even necessary for the patients to undress. For certain procedures, the technician may ask you to hold your breath. If you require a contrast injection the process will be explained to you and any questions you may have will be answered.

Coronary CT Angiography

As one of the first out-patient facilities in the area to install the latest generation of multi- slice CT scanners, we have the experience as well as the technology to achieve the highest quality noninvasive imaging of the coronary arteries.

Coronary CTA is becoming part of standard screening evaluations in high risk patients. The ability to visualize the vessel wall, as well as the vessel lumen, represents a unique advantage of CTA over conventional catheter angiography. Moreover, CT angiography has no risk of stroke, acute MI or other morbidities of catheter angiography.

All three of our locations feature the most sophisticated multi-slice CT technologies available.  The Aquilion 64 can capture precise images of any area of the body in as little as a ten second breath-hold. 

The Aquilion 64 is designed to offer physicians even greater diagnostic capabilities by helping patients avoid more invasive medical procedures.  The system delivers unmatched multi-slice clinical images that capture up to 64 simultaneous anatomical slices of 0.5 mm in a single gantry rotation.  The Aquilion 64 is the world’s only true volumetric 64 CT system with 64 detector channels, 3-D cone beam algorithms and volume reconstruction.

In addition, the system’s sensitivity and accuracy are enhanced with a process called Isotropic Scanning, which results in images that most accurately capture equal views and angles of internal structure.

The examination is performed in less than 10 minutes and does not require sedation. Patients undergoing a Coronary CTA scan receive an iodine-containing contrast dye as an IV solution to ensure the best images possible. The same IV in the arm may be used to give a medication to slow or stabilize the patient’s heart rate for better imaging results. There will also be placement of ECG leads on the chest before the initial scan is performed to assess for calcification in the coronary arteries. The scan itself requires approximately 10 seconds for image acquisition.

Preparation

As with all radiological procedures, patients should inform the technologist if there is any chance of pregnancy or if you are nursing.

• For most studies patients need not even undress. Most exams take less than 30 minutes.
• Studies with contrast (*) require the patient to fast for 3 hours prior to the test. Do not eat or drink 3 hours before your appointment.
• Studies of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast require patients to drink oral contrast after they arrive at the office for their appointment.
• You will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire regarding your medical history and the reason your doctor scheduled your appointment. For your convenience, you can access these on our forms page.
• If you have had a severe allergic reaction to food or medicine in the past, have asthma or a prior reaction to a contrast material during previous CT Scan or x-ray, please advise the office at the time of scheduling.

*Please alert our staff if you have renal / kidney problems.

Certain studies require patients to drink a contrast medium while others require a contrast via injection; some require both. Contrast media is used as required for optimizing imaging studies and as prescribed by the referring physician. Patients having an abdomen or pelvic CT Scan should allow an additional 30 minutes to drink the oral contrast prior to the beginning of the scan.

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