Overview
CT angiograms are performed in the radiology department of a hospital or an outpatient imaging facility.
A technician will give the patient a numbing medication before inserting an intravenous line in the hand or arm to inject the dye that will make the heart's arteries visible on the images. Even though the actual scanning portion of the test takes just five seconds, it may take up to an hour for the entire process.
The technician places electrodes on the chest to record the patient’s heart rate, who is required to lie on a long table that slides through a short, tunnel-like machine. During the coronary angiogram procedure,the patient is required to stay still and hold their breath to avoid blurred images. If the patient is uncomfortable in closed spaces, they can be given medication to help them relax.
- A major benefit of CT angiogram is that it can view bone, soft tissue and blood vessels simultaneously. It is therefore suited to identify other reasons for a patient’s discomfort such as a blood clot in the lungs or an injury to the aorta.
- CT scanning delivers detailed images of tissues, unlike conventional X-rays.
- No radiation remains in a patient's body after a CT examination.
- CT examinations are simple and quick.
- They are cost-effective and offer a diagnosis of multiple medical conditions.
- CT is less sensitive to patient movement as compared to MRI.