Coronary CTA (Coronary CT Angiography) is an x-ray imaging technique performed with intravenous (IV) contrast (dye) which examines the blood vessels that supply the heart. At the same time the structure of the heart is also well visualised and so the examination is sometimes simply called a cardiac CT.

Lifescan Imaging uses a Siemens SOMATOM Drive Dual Source CT scanner that enables the beating motion of the heart to be “frozen”, giving clearer and more accurate pictures. The latest technology in this scanner also permits the scan to be carried out in the majority of patients with much lower radiation doses than before.

Who should go for Coronary CTA?

Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. The presence of Coronary Artery Disease can have serious implications by reducing oxygen flow and nutrients to the heart, resulting in a heart attack without prior symptoms. Sometimes other cardiac tests produce uncertain results.

In these cases, Coronary CTA can evaluate the coronary arteries to confirm or exclude the presence of disease. People who may benefit from a Coronary CTA include:

• Individuals who are experiencing chest pains
• Individuals with one or more of the following risk factors
• Smoker
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Family history of coronary artery disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes

Coronary CTA may be helpful to rule out narrowing or blockage of a coronary artery, a pulmonary embolism, or an aortic aneurysm/ dissection.