Radiology - CT Coronary Angiography

Introduction

This leaflet aims to answer your questions about having a computed tomography coronary angiogram (CTCA). It explains what will happen when you have the scan, the benefits, risks and alternatives.

If you have any further questions, please speak to a doctor or other members of staff in the CT department.

What is a CTCA scan?

A CTCA scan is an X-ray test that allows us to take detailed images of the body. A CTCA scan gives detailed pictures of your heart and coronary arteries which allows us to see any narrowing or blockages. These pictures help us to make a diagnosis and assess any health problems which help your doctor to decide the best treatment for you.

How is a CTCA scan carried out?

• A member of staff will ask you to lie on the scanning bed. A cannula (small plastic tube) will be inserted into a vein in your arm and ECG (heart tracing) stickers will be placed on your chest to record your heart rhythm. This is so we can trigger the scanner to take a picture at a certain point during your heartbeat
• If your heart rate is high, you may be given an injection of medication called a beta blocker to reduce it for the scan. Please try to avoid driving or cycling to or from your appointment as the medication can rarely cause side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness. It is a good idea to ask someone to come with you to your appointment
• We may also give you another medication called GTN, in the form of a tablet, under your tongue just before the scan. This is to open the arteries in the heart as much as possible to make it easier to assess them on the scan. You might get a slight headache or feel a little dizzy from this
• When carrying out the scan we will give you an injection of x- ray dye, so that we can see your heart and arteries clearly. It contains iodine and is not radioactive. During the injection you may experience a warm feeling all over or a metallic taste in your mouth. Very rarely, some patients can have an allergic reaction to this. If you have had a previous reaction to x-ray dye, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing CardiacCT@nca.nhs.uk (please note that this will be monitored Mon-Fri 8am-4pm). If you do not have email access, please phone the department on 0161 206 1233 and we will get back to you
• To help us get a clear picture of your heart, we will ask you to hold your breath for no more than 15 seconds for each of the scans we need to undertake
• While obtaining these pictures of your heart and arteries, the bed will move through the centre of the scanner

How long will the scan take?

The scan itself should only take around 15 minutes. Please remember that we have to prepare for the scan and may have to give you medication as described above. Please be prepared to stay for over an hour.

How should I prepare for the scan?

You can eat as normal and should continue to take your medication as prescribed. Please bring a list of your current medication.

On the day of your appointment please do not drink anything containing caffeine – e.g., tea, coffee, cola and hot chocolate.

If you are asthmatic and use an inhaler, please bring it with you to your appointment.

You should be able to return to your normal daily routine after your scan and you can eat and drink as normal.

What are the benefits of the CTCA scan?

The main purpose of a CTCA is to confirm or exclude blockages or narrowings in the coronary arteries that could be causing symptoms of chest pain/angina. CTCA is sometimes used to assess other cardiac conditions and this will have been explained at the time of your consultation with the cardiology team.

Is there any risk to me from the radiation used in the scan?

The scanner has been designed to the highest standards of radiation safety and the lowest possible amount of radiation is always used to perform CTCA scan.

We are exposed to natural background radiation all the time and this test is equivalent to four years’ worth of natural background radiation. We believe that the benefits of having the scan outweigh the risks.

We aim to make sure that every patient fully understands the risks and benefits of the procedure. Please ask if you have any questions.

If you are aged 12-55, we may ask you which sex you were assigned at birth (male or female) and if you have had any medical procedures or treatment that mean you cannot become pregnant. If you have the capacity to become pregnant and have not had your period within 10 days of your appointment date, you may be asked to complete a pregnancy test within the department.

If you think you may be pregnant, you MUST inform the CT Staff before arriving for your examination. Email address: CardiacCT@nca.nhs.uk (Please note that this will be monitored Mon-Fri 8am-4pm). If you do not have email access, please phone the department on 0161 206 1233 and we will get back to you.

Can I bring a friend or relative with me?

Yes, but they will only be allowed to go into the examination room in special circumstances (for safety reasons). If you require an interpreter this cannot be a family member, so we would need to use the formal interpreter service. If an interpreter is required please let us know beforehand on the number below.

Children will not be allowed into the room while you are having the scan, so you need to make alternative care arrangements for them before you come to your appointment.

What happens if I don’t have the scan?

If you don’t have this scan, your doctor will have less information to diagnose or assess your health problem. This will make it harder for us to give you the best treatment for your condition.

This scan usually has two parts. Sometimes the second part of the scan (that requires the x-ray dye injection) cannot be done because the heart rate is not adequately controlled. A report will go back to the referring doctor or specialist nurse and an alternative test may be arranged.

How will I get my results?

We will send the results to the hospital consultant or specialist nurse who referred you for the scan.

Contacting us

It is very important to us that you have been given all the necessary information so that your scan is carried out successfully. Please contact us if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Email address: CardiacCT@nca.nhs.uk (Please note that this will be monitored Mon-Fri 8am-4pm).

If you do not have email access, please phone the department on 0161 206 1233 and we will get back to you.

Further Information

If you have any other questions, you can ask your GP, the doctors that sent you for the test or the CT department. You can also find further information at the following website: www.rcr.ac.uk/ patients