Frequently Asked Questions for Cardiac CT
The following information will help you understand the process and requirement of the examination. Incase of futher information, we are just a call away.
What is it ?
Computed Tomography (CT) Coronary Angiography is a non-invasive scan of the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. The coronary arteries and heart chambers are visualized through the injection of a contrast medium during the scan. For optimum results of your heart we don't need to reduce your heart rate. We don't need to give you beta blocker medication to assist in slowing your heart rate down.
What you must tell us ?
If you have any allergies or have had an adverse reaction to a previous contrast injection or other drugs or if you have any renal impairment. It is important that you advise medical staff if you have any of these conditions as it may affect your eligibility of the scan being performed. If you take any diabetic medication that contains metformin (examples of which are diabex, diaformin, avandament, glucomet, novamet, genex, glucophage), insulin, or blood thinner (warfrin or aspirin products). Please provide recent kidney function test results if available. If you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant or breast feeding.
How to Prepare ?
• You should have 2 hour fasting before your appointment.
• You should arrive 1 hour before your appointment to allow for adequate preparation
before your scan.
• Do not ingest any stimulants such as caffeine, cigarettes or Viagra at least 4 hours
before your procedure as this can elevate your heart rate.
• You may be required to take beta blocker medication orally the night before and the
morning of the examination if advised by your doctor.
• You will be asked to change out of your clothes and put on a hospital gown.
• Bring all your medications with you on the day of the procedure.
• If you are diabetic and taking metformin you may or may not be required to stop taking
it before your scan depending on your kidney function. Please check with the site before
the date of your examination.
• If you require beta blocker medication on the day of examination, you may be a little
light headed or dizzy after the scan and require someone to drive you home.
What does the procedure involve ?
On arrival
After registration you will be asked about your medical history and your questionnaire
and consent forms will be verified. Your blood pressure and saturation levels may also
be measured.
During Your CT scan
An intra-venous cannula will be inserted into your arm if it has not already been done
so and ECG leads will be attached to monitor your heart rate. You will receive a rapid
intravenous injection of contrast just before the scan commences. You will be asked to
hold your breath and the table will move into the scanner.
You may experience a brief hot flushed feeling, get a funny metallic taste or smell from
the contrast injection. It is also common to feel a sensation in the pelvis or bladder
area which can make feel that you need to urinate or that you have urinated. This is
just a sensation and you do not actually urinate.
After Your CT Scan
Once the scan is complete the cannula in your arm will be removed and you will be taken
to a recovery area. If you notice any pain, redness, and/or swelling at the injection
site after you return home following your procedure, you should notify your physician as
this could indicate an infection or other type of reaction.
How long will it take ?
The scan will take 5 seconds however the total time including preparation and recovery may take between 20-30 minutes depending on the individual and you can do your routine after that.
Related Procedures :
• CT Cardiac Calcium Score
Cardiac Calcium Scoring uses CT to check the buildup of calcium (plaque) on the walls of
the coronary arteries — vessels that supply blood to the heart. This test is used to
check for heart disease in an early stage and to determine the extent and location of
the plaque.
• CT Renal Angiography
To Study Renal Artery Stenosis casuing Hyper-Tension.
• CT Cerebral Angiography
To Study Cerebral Artery Stenosis casuing Stroke and Paralysis.
• CT Whole Body Screening
To Study Whole Body for Tumor.
Additional Details :
If no initiative is taken to check the disease, the most predictable and also
preventable among all chronic diseases, India will have 62 million patients with heart
disease by 2015,
compared to 16 million in the US," Enas A Enas, Director, CADI (Coronary Artery Disease
among Asian Indians) Research Foundation, California said.
He said the rate of heart attacks among Indians younger than 45 years of age in the last
three years was five times higher than in other populations.
One in every third death in India can be attributed to cardiovascular diseases, Dr RK
Jaswal, director, cardiology, Fortis Hospital
About 35% of deaths in India are due to cardiovascular diseases.
India has the highest incidence of heart related diseases in the world and the number of
those affected is likely to double in the coming years
26 lakh Indians to die due to coronary heart disease by
80% of premature deaths
from heart diseases could be avoided through healthy lifestyle and regular preventive
check-ups