Coronary CTA

A non-invasive imaging examination is performed to determine if fatty or calcium deposits have built up in coronary arteries. For the first time without invasive surgery, arteries are evaluated for narrowing, blockage, enlargement, or anomalies. CTA provides valuable information about the nature of blockages (soft plaque vs. hard calcified plaque) and the wall of the vessel. In the past, this information could only be obtained by invasive Cardiac Catheterization which shows only if an artery is narrowed. Dangerous soft plaque that leads to heart attack and sudden death in the past could not be identified. Soft plaque which narrows the coronary artery as little as 30% can rupture and result in a heart attack within seconds. Coronary CTA enables patients to know if they have coronary artery disease before it’s too late. All this information is available at less than half the dose of a traditional 64-slice CT scanner.

The most advanced CT scanner in the world

SJRA is proud to announce that we are among the first in the world to have the latest, revolutionary CT scanner. The Definition Scanner integrates two X-ray sources and two sets of 64 detectors for the most detailed clinical images available. The Definition is also the fastest CT system on the market. It can capture cardiac images in a few seconds, without the use of beta-blockers to slow the heart rate.

Who should have a Coronary CTA?

• All patients who require evaluation for chest pain syndrome / angina.
• All patients in who have at least one or two risk factors for coronary artery disease and who are symptomatic.
• Patients who have known cardiac disease and require reevaluation of their coronary vessels but who may not want or cannot have in invasive catheterization.
• Patients who are symptomatic for aortic dissection or pulmonary emboli.

Why is a Coronary CTA better than other cardiac tests?

• Coronary CTA is low risk and high yield. This study provides unprecedented information about the coronary arteries as well as surrounding tissue and organs. In other words, the radiologist at SJRA expertly evaluate all visualized structures identified including the lungs, liver, adrenal glands, and kidneys.

Who should interpret a coronary CTA?

• Although interventional cardiologists and Cardiac imaging radiologists both specialize in coronary anatomy, the images obtained during coronary CTA are digital and require expert post processing to enable high quality, highly detailed interpretation with extensive experience in 3 and 4 D multiformating. Only radiologists have over five years of training in the use and pitfalls of workstation interpretation.
• Incidental findings such as lung disease, cancer, cysts, and hiatal hernias have been identified by Radiologist in 30% of patients who have this study performed at SJRA. These findings are frequently missed or even purposefully not included in processing when studies are not interpreted by a radiologist.

Why Choose SJRA?

We have the most sophisticated scanner available with two tubes and 128 detectors no other scanner compares.

We have the largest best trained group of cardiac imagers in the Delaware Valley. Yes that includes Philadelphia.

What preparation is required for a Coronary CTA?

• Avoid caffeine products for 12 hours prior to this study
• Do not eat for three hours prior to this study
• Arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled study so that your vital signs can be obtained and an IV can be placed in your arm.

How long does the scan take?

• Approximately 10 minutes for the scan itself.

What is a Cardiac MRI?

A test that produces high-quality still and moving pictures of the heart and great vessels. MRI acquires information about the heart as it is beating; creating moving images of the heart throughout its pumping cycle.

MRI uses large magnets and radio-frequency waves to product pictures of the body’s internal structures; no x-ray exposure is involved

What preparation is required for a Cardiac MRI?

Preparation for most MRI exams is minimal. You may be asked not to eat or drink before the exam depending upon the body area to be examined. Please wear little or no jewelry. Watches, coins and any other metallic objects will be removed before you enter the scanner. Most importantly, you must inform the staff of any metal in your body such as pacemakers, heart valves, aneurysm clips, metal fragments in your eyes, or other sources of metal. This will be reviewed in detail when you schedule your exam.

What is a Cardiac stress test?

This procedure is performed with treadmill exercise, monitoring the heart rate and blood pressure as the patient exercises. A cardiologist is present during a cardiac stress test to monitor the EKG.

In addition to treadmill stress your doctor may want either an isotope stress test or an Echo stress test. SJRA offers both of these forms of stress testing.

(Cardiolite Stress Testing) that combines treadmill stress testing with computed nuclear scanning to greatly increase the sensitivity and accuracy of cardiac stress testing. A cardiologist monitors the stress test portion of the study. A nuclear technologist injects a small amount of radio pharmaceutical during stress testing. Then images of the heart are performed to see if the heart muscle is getting enough blood flow during exercise.

Another Heart study is the (MUGA) Scan. Computers measure the heart's pumping activity. This study is also called a Gated blood pool exam. It provides visual documentation of possible heart injury, allows visualization of heart muscle motion while calculating the percentage of blood the heart pumps during each cycle.

An Echo stress test combines treadmill stress testing with an echocardiogram and is dealt with more fully in the ultrasound section.

What kind of preparation do I need for a stress test?

You may be asked to fast or withhold certain medications prior to the procedure. Be sure to ask your doctor for any special instructions. If you can't fast, are diabetic or are on medication, ask your physician or call our office for instructions. Please be sure to let us know about any medications you may be taking.

On the day of the examination, wear loose, comfortable clothing, as well as sneakers or rubber-soled shoes, since you will be exercising as part of the examination.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, or echo test is a safe, noninvasive test that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to evaluate the structures, function, and blood flow of the heart. This test is ordinarily done to look for evidence of previous heart muscle damage and to find out if there are areas of the heart muscle which have impaired blood supply.

How is the procedure done?

You will lie on a table on your left side to enhance viewing of the heart. Pads called electrodes for obtaining the heart's electrical pattern are placed on your chest. An instrument called a transducer is placed on the left side of your chest and tilted at different places with gel. The gel may be slightly cool and slight pressure may be felt from the transducer. You may be asked to hold your breath at times so that the technologist can obtain clearer views of the heart.

How will I prepare for my echocardiogram?

There is no special pre-test preparation.

How long does the test take?

The echo takes 20 minutes.

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