Coronary CT Angiography Program

What is Coronary CT Angiography – John Lesser, MD

Coronary CT angiography (PDF Download 870 KB) is a new tool that allows us to see both whether the cause of symptoms may be from the heart and whether plaque has built up in the artery wall that may cause a future heart attack or symptoms. The test is performed with a special type of CT scanner called a dual source CT. This is the world’s fastest “multislice” CT that best stops the motion of the heart, like a fast camera, for a picture. For this noninvasive CT test, contrast dye is given through an iv as a patient moves in the CT scan while holding his or her breath for 6 to 12 seconds. The test is most often performed in outpatients and takes about 15 minutes in the scan room.

The dose of radiation given by the CT is similar to stress nuclear scans (an alternative method for checking for possible blocked arteries). The dose of iv contrast is similar to that used in invasive angiograms. (If you have kidney dysfunction, you should notify your doctor before having a test with angiogram dye). The performance and interpretation of the test requires special training and experience. At the Minneapolis Heart Institute, we have one of the largest experiences in the world (PDF Download 307 KB) and care a great deal about the quality and accuracy of our studies.

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