Cardiac (Coronary) CT Angiography

One of the most common tests used to evaluate the heart in patients with chest pain is a "coronary angiogram" or "cardiac catheterization." Performed by a cardiologist who injects dye or intravenous contrast into the vessels and chambers of the heart, this test is invasive (requiring the placement of catheters and wires in the coronary arteries, typically inserted through the groin under local anesthesia) and requires patient recovery time in the hospital upon completion of the procedure.

Cardiac CTA, on the other hand, is a non-invasive, special type of X-ray procedure performed by a radiologist using a CT scanner. Cardiac CTA helps to determine whether fatty deposits or calcium deposits, also called plaques, have built up in the walls of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle itself. If such plaque builds up untreated, it may cause a narrowing and decrease the blood flow to the heart muscle that could result in chest pain or even a heart attack.

A cardiac CTA not only evaluates the coronary arteries but also the

• heart muscle,
• heart valves,
• contraction function of the heart (ejection fraction),
• lung vessels,
• protective sac around the heart (pericardium),
• other structures in the center of the chest, and
• the portion of your lungs and chest wall included in the scan.

Intravenous iodine-containing contrast is administered during the test to determine whether it flows freely through the coronary arteries. The test can only be performed if the patient does not have a CONTRAST ALLERGY or KIDNEY DISEASE. Kidney disease is screened for prior to the CTA test with a simple blood test.

Radiologists and cardiologists at Lahey Clinic work together as a team interpreting cardiac CTA images for optimum patient care.