What Is a CT Angiogram?

Written by: ViaScan Editorial Team

Medical Advisor: John Duncan, Ph.D. Director of Operations at:  VIASCAN

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this article does not create a doctor–patient relationship with ViaScan. Always consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, symptoms, or treatment. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.

What is the difference between a CT Scan and a CT Angiogram?

Scans are one of the most important tools used by doctors to look for problems that are going on inside the body or to check that things look normal. A CT Scan is one of the most used scans by doctors. In a CT Scan, X-rays are used to create images of the body that are cross-sectional, giving a detailed look into the body parts.

A CT angiogram (CTA) is a CT scan with contrast dye injected into a vein, so the blood vessels in a specific part of the body show up clearly. [1] In the angiogram type of CT scan, a dye is injected into the blood vessels, which highlights the blood vessels for examination.

How long does a CT angiogram take?     

Doctors can choose from several kinds of CT scans, and each one is set up to answer a specific question about the body. The type of scan you need, and how it is done, affects how long your appointment will take from start to finish.

One such scan is an angiogram in which a dye is injected into the blood vessels to study the blood vessels and to see if anything is going wrong inside them. The scan itself is fast. [1] Most of the visit is preparation, such as placing the IV.

Ask the imaging center how long to plan for, as the total time depends on the area being scanned.

What does a CT angiogram of the chest show?

When a doctor suspects a problem with the blood vessels in the chest, such as a blood clot in the lungs or a weak, bulging section of the aorta, a standard X-ray is often not enough. They need imaging that shows those vessels clearly and in detail. 

One such scan is an Angiogram, which is used to assess the blood vessels of the body. A chest angiogram shows detailed images of the blood vessels present in the chest including the large vessels around the heart and the arteries of the lungs. A chest CTA can show problems in the aorta, such as an aneurysm, and blood clots in the lung arteries. [1] The heart’s own (coronary) arteries are usually checked with a dedicated coronary CTA.

What is a CT angiogram of the heart?

A CT angiogram of the heart, also called a coronary CTA, is a CT scan focused on the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood. It is usually ordered by a doctor to look for the cause of symptoms such as chest pain, or to follow up on an unclear result from another heart test.

In such scans, a dye is injected into the blood vessels, which highlights the blood, and then detailed images are produced, which then allows for the thorough evaluation of the vessels. Coronary CTA can help doctors look for narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

What test shows blocked arteries in the heart?

The coronary arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, which needs a steady supply to keep pumping. Over time, a fatty, waxy substance called plaque can build up inside the artery walls and narrow them. [2] When an artery becomes narrowed or blocked, the heart may not get enough oxygen, especially during exercise or stress, which can cause chest pain or shortness of breath. A CT coronary angiogram uses contrast dye to make these arteries visible, so doctors can see where they are narrowed or blocked and how severe the narrowing is. [1]

How accurate is a CTA of the heart?

Coronary CTA is a type of CT scan for the arteries of the heart. With the help of CTA, the doctors can assess the vessels of the heart to look for any blockages or problems going inside the heart vessels. CT coronary angiography is a reliable way to look for narrowing in the coronary arteries, although results depend on image quality and some patients may need further tests.[1]

How does a blockage look on a CT angiography of the heart?

A blockage in the coronary artery looks like a stenosis where the coronary artery looks like a constriction or narrowing of the lumen. There can also be calcium deposits that can be seen on the angiogram, or there can be non-calcified deposits. Moreover, in extreme cases, total occlusion of the artery can be seen.

How do you check heart blockage without angiography?

Not everyone needs an angiogram to check their heart. Depending on your symptoms, age and risk factors, your doctor may start with simpler, non-invasive tests. These may include an ECG, an exercise stress test, a stress echocardiogram, or a nuclear stress test. An angiogram is usually recommended only if those results raise concerns or don’t give a clear answer.

What is coronary artery disease?

Heart disease is a broad term that covers many conditions, including problems with the heart valves, the heart muscle and the heart’s rhythm. Some are present from birth, while others develop over time because of age, lifestyle habits, or other health conditions.

One of the most common diseases of the heart is coronary artery disease, which is characterized by any narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries of the heart, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

What causes coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease usually develops when plaque builds up and narrows the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. There could be a lot of reasons for such blockages, like High cholesterol, Hypertension, smoking, diabetes, unhealthy diet, etc.

Summary: 

A CT angiogram is an imaging test used to examine blood vessels and help identify narrowing, blockages, or blood clots, depending on the area being evaluated. Your doctor can determine whether a CT angiogram is appropriate based on your symptoms and medical history. Contact ViaScan of Las Colinas to ask whether CT angiogram imaging is available and whether a doctor’s order is needed.

References:

[1] RadiologyInfo (RSNA/ACR) — CT Angiography (CTA). https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/angioct

[2] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute — Heart Attack Causes and Risk Factors. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-attack/causes