What Is a CT Coronary Angiogram and How Should You Prepare For It?
A CT coronary angiogram is just a simple, painless test, much like an X-ray. A CT scanner is a powerful X-ray machine that takes different cross-sectional images of your body (called slices) and puts them together to form a complete picture. The more the number of slices a machine can take, the clearer the scans – for example, our 128 Slice CT machine takes 128 slices, enabling maximum clarity.
A CT coronary angiogram looks at the arteries (blood vessels) in the heart to check if they have become narrow or are blocked by plaque buildup. Unlike a traditional (non-CT) coronary angiogram, where a slim tube is threaded through your blood vessels, a CT-based angiogram is non-invasive, painless and requires no recovery time.
Pre-scan preparation
For a CT angiogram, you will be asked to fast 3-4 hours prior to the scan – which means no consuming food or liquids, especially caffeinated drinks, which can increase heart rate.
If needed, you may have also been prescribed some tablets (beta-blockers) by your doctor, in order to slow down your heart rate. This helps the CT scan get a clearer picture, since the heart is moving more slowly. Think of this as trying to take a picture of a fast-moving train, which may come blurred, as opposed to one that is moving more slowly.
However, if the CT machine is more powerful, like a 128 Slice one, you may not need these tablets.
At the diagnostic centre
Once you arrive at the centre, you will be asked for previous blood reports or scans, if any. You will then be asked to change into the hospital gown provided. Make sure you remove all jewellery and metal items from your body, as well as all clothing above the waist. Leaving on jewellery could hamper the scan quality and necessitate a repeat scan - which will unnecessarily waste your time and money.
The need for contrast dye
Once you have changed into the hospital gown, the nurse will insert an intravenous canula in one of the veins of your hand. Through this canula, a dye will be injected while you’re getting a CT scan, to make the arteries more visible.
The actual scan
Next, you will be escorted into the scanning room. The CT scanner is like a doughnut-shaped machine, open on both ends. A bed slides in and out through this hole.
You will be asked to lie on the bed and relax, while the nurse places some electrodes on your chest. This is done so that the doctors can monitor your heart rate throughout the test.
The entire scan will take approximately 15 minutes.
Do’s and don’ts during the scan
Throughout the scan, the staff will be talking to you through the intercom. Do listen to their instructions and don’t move unnecessarily – you may be asked to hold your breath now and then, in order to ensure a clearer scan.
If you need to communicate something, you can talk to the technicians too.
After the procedure
Once the scan is complete, you may be kept under observation for some time.
Collecting your report
The CD of the scan will be available 20 minutes post the scan, while the report should be available in 4-5 hours. A soft copy of the report will be emailed to you too. You will receive a notification once your reports are ready.
Have any more questions on CT scans, MRI or other scans? Feel free to call us at 020 4132 2222 - we are Pune’s leading diagnostic centre.
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