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A CT coronary angiogram is an easy, painless test, much like an X-ray. A CT scanner is an energetic X-ray machine that takes different cross-sectional images of your body (called slices) and places them together to form a complete picture. The additional the number of slices a machine can take, the clearer the scans – for example, our 128 Slice CT machine takes 128 slices, enabling at most clarity.

A CT coronary angiogram glance at the arteries (blood vessels) in the heart to check if they have become limited or blocked by plaque buildup. Different from 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 before the scan – which means no consuming food or juice, especially caffeinated drinks, which can raise the heart rate.

If required, you may have also been prescribed some medicine (beta-blockers) by your doctor, to slow down your heart rate. This helps the CT scan get a clearer image since the heart is moving slowly. Despite this, trying to take a picture of a fast-moving train, may come blurred, as opposed to one that is moving slowly.

However, if the CT machine is more powerful, like a 128 Slice one, you may not require these tablets.

At the Saaral Heart center

Once you arrive at the booth, you will be asked for previous blood reports or scans, if any. You will then be asked to modify into the hospital-provided gown. Make sure you remove all jewelry and metal items from your body and all clothing over the waist. Leaving on jewelry could distort the scan quality and necessitate a repeat scan – which will unnecessarily waste your time and money.

How do I prepare for a CTCA?

CT images are understandable. If your heart rate is low, and you might be given medications before the test to slow down your heart rate. It is advanceable that you do not have any tea (including herbal teas), coffee, cola, or other tonics before the procedure as these may contain caffeine, which can increase your heart rate.

It is not urgent to go without food or drink before the procedure, but a full stomach is not advisable, as this together with the contrast agent might make you feel nauseated. However, each radiology facility will ask you to follow its own requirements related to any fasting before the test.

It is important that you counsel the radiology facility staff when you make the meeting if you have asthma, diabetes, any kidney problems, irregular heart rhythm or have in the past had an allergy to contrast representative used in a radiology procedure or a strong history of allergy to other things (like foods, pollens or dust). If you have Some of these conditions, it might not be eventual to have this test.

The procedure could Need several hours of preparation after you Reach at the radiology Convenience before you have the CTCA.

If you are taking metformin for diabetes, you may or may not require to stop taking it for this test, depending on whether or not your kidney condition is good. You will require to bring the results of a recent kidney function test with you so that it can be thoroughpaced.

Many patients come to the appointment with someone who can drive them back to home. Even though you might have to stay for a whole after the procedure until the effect of the medication used to lower the heart rate has worn off, you could still fell a little lightheaded walking or driving.

The need for contrast dye

Once you have changed into the hospital robe, the nurse will admit an intravenous cannula in one of the veins of your hand. Through this cannula, a dye will be inoculated while you’re getting a CT scan, to make the arteries more visible.

The actual scan

Next, you will be shifted into the scanning Space. The CT scanner is similar to a doughnut-shaped machine, open on both ends. A bed slides in and outside through this hole.

You will be asked to lie on the bed and relax, while the nurse location some electrodes on your chest. This is done so that the doctors can monitor your heart rate throughout the Trail.

The entire scan will take roughly 15 minutes.

Do’s and don’ts during the scan

The staff will talk to you through the intercom over the scan. Do listen to their Direction and don’t move unnecessarily – you may be asked to hold your breath now and then, in Command to ensure a clearer scan.

If you require to communicate something, you can talk to the technicians too.

After the procedure

Once the scan is finished, you may be kept under observation for some time.

Collecting your report

The CD of the scan will be obtainable 20 minutes post the scan, while the report should be obtainable in 4-5 hours. A will email a soft copy of the report to you too. You will get a notification once your reports are ready.