Angiography is a time-tested way to study the health of veins and arteries. Though often associated with the heart, it can be used throughout the body to determine whether blood vessels are blocked, damaged, or malformed. With CT angiography, no catheter tube is necessary, and the dye (I.V. Contrast) can be placed with a simple injection in the arm. CTA uses a CT scanner (sometimes called a CAT scan) to create the images of blood vessels, coronary arteries, and veins. Because there is no need to thread the catheter through the body, a CTA is less time consuming and causes less discomfort than traditional angiography. A CT scanner uses a thin X-ray beam and advanced computer analysis to create highly detailed images.
For Coronary CT Angiography, patients are required to refrain from caffeine products for 24-48 prior to exam. E.g. coffee, soda, migraine medicine. We also require that patients take a beta blocker (metaprolol) to slow the heartrate down so we can image the heart clearly. The heartrate cannot exceed 65-70 beats per minute.
Please contact us for other specific preparation requirements for this exam.
CT CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY: $850
(medicare covers exam, certain United Healthscare plans also cover this exam. Please call our office to verify.)
