Cardiac CT - Q & A

Cardiac CT - What is it?

The Cardiac CT scan is an imaging test that can provide you and your physician with valuable information regarding the health of your coronary arteries, the arteries that supply oxygen-enriched blood to the heart muscle.

Cardiac CT - What can it do?

The CT scan can determine if you have narrowing of the coronary arteries, as well as detect both “hard” plaque and “soft” or “fatty” plaque that can cause problems in the future.

Cardiac CT - What is the advantage?

The Cardiac CT scan differs from cardiac catheterization in that the CT scan is much less invasive, requiring no recovery time. Cardiac CT scanning does not require the placement of a catheter into the coronary arteries for visualization of the arteries.

Cardiac CT - Why is contrast used?

With Cardiac CT, the patient receives contrast through an IV that highlights the arteries of the heart. Patients may also receive medication through the IV that slows the heart down slightly, so the images of the heart can be obtained more easily. Narrowing or blockages in the arteries can then be evaluated safely and quickly.

Cardiac CT - Immediate recorvery time

Patients who undergo Cardiac CT scanning can return to normal activity immediately after the scan, reducing the inconvenience to the patient.