Secretary for Spire Hospitals:
Amanda Rangassamy
Phone: 07875 700542
Email: amandarangssamy@gmail.com
Secretary for Nuffield Hospital:
Jyoti Mistry
Phone: 0116 274 3800
Email: jyoti.mistry@nuffieldhealth.com
Cardiac CT Angiogram, Leicester
CT is a non-invasive way of looking inside your body to help diagnose medical conditions and guide treatment. A CT (computed tomography) scanner uses special xray equipment and computers to produce images of multiple “slices” of the part of the body being scanned. These images of the inside of the body can then be examined on a computer monitor.
CT Scans provide much greater detail of internal organs, bone, blood vessels and soft tissue than ordinary x-rays and so are often the preferred method of diagnosing a wide range of medical conditions such as cancers, infection, inflammation, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. A CT Coronary Angiogram can identify calcification, narrowing or blockage of the arteries to the heart.
How does it work?
The CT scanner consists of a ‘doughnut-shaped’ structure with a hole, or short tunnel, in the centre. You will lie on a narrow examination table that slides into and out of this tunnel. X-rays produced by the scanner pass through your body and are detected by electronic sensors on the other side of the ring. This information is sent to a computer that produces a picture of the internal structure of the body. Modern CT scanners are so fast that they can scan through large sections of the body in just a few seconds.
The scanner is operated by a Radiographer, who is a professional trained to carry out X-rays and other imaging procedures. The pictures are displayed on a computer workstation for examination by the Radiologist, who is a doctor specially trained to interpret the images and carry out more complex imaging examinations.
Some scans need to be performed with an injection of special contrast (dye) which is used to enhance visibility of the area being scanned, particularly the blood vessels and blood flow to organs.
Understanding Cardiac CT Angiogram
Cardiac CT Angiography is an advanced imaging method utilising computed tomography (CT) technology to generate high-definition, three-dimensional visuals of the heart and its blood vessels. Unlike conventional catheter angiography, which necessitates the insertion of a catheter through blood vessels to reach the heart, CT angiography is non-invasive and considerably safer.
During the procedure, the patient is positioned inside a CT scanner, capturing multiple X-ray images from various angles. Typically, a contrast dye is injected into the bloodstream via an IV to heighten visibility of the coronary arteries. The resultant images offer comprehensive insights into the status of the coronary arteries, revealing the presence of plaque accumulation, blockages, and other irregularities.