CT Angiography

What is CT Angiography?

CT ( computed tomography ) angiography (CTA) is an examination that uses x-rays to visualize blood flow in arterial and venous vessels throughout the body, from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, and arms and legs. CT combines the use of x-rays with computerized analysis of the images. Beams of x-rays are passed from a rotating device through the area of interest in the patient's body from several different angles to create cross-sectional images, which then are assembled by computer into a three-dimensional picture of the area being studied. Compared to catheter angiography , which involves placing a sizable catheter and injecting contrast material into a large artery or vein, CTA is a much less invasive and more patient-friendly procedure-contrast material is injected into a small peripheral vein by using a small needle or catheter. This type of exam has been used to screen large numbers of individuals for arterial disease. Most patients undergo CT angiography without being admitted to a hospital.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

How should I prepare for the procedure?

Depending on the part of the body to be examined, you may be asked to take only clear liquids by mouth before CTA. You will be asked whether you have asthma or any allergies to foods or drugs, and what medications you are currently taking. If you are pregnant, you should inform the technologist before the procedure. You probably will not have to undress if you are undergoing an exam of the head, neck, arms or legs but you will have to remove any jewelry, hair clips, dentures and the like that could show up on the x-rays and make them hard to interpret.

How does the procedure work?

Before the actual exam begins, you will have a dose of contrast material injected into a vein to make the blood vessels stand out. An automatic injector machine is used that controls the timing and rate of injection, which may continue during part of the time images are recorded.  During the examination, the rotating device spins around the patient, creating a fan-shaped beam of x-rays , and the detector takes snapshots of the beam after it passes through the patient. As many as one thousand of these pictures may be recorded in one turn of the detector. The real work of CTA comes after the images are acquired, when powerful computer programs process the images and make it possible to display them in different ways, for instance, in cross-sectional slices or as three-dimensional "casts" of the blood vessels.  

How is the procedure performed?

Most of the time for a CTA examination is spent setting everything up. Actually recording the images takes only seconds. After changing into a hospital gown and having an IV set up, you will answer questions about things that might complicate the exam (such as allergies), and then you will lie down on a narrow table. The part of your body to be examined will be placed inside the opening of the CT unit with the aid of criss-crossed positioning lights. A test image is taken to determine the best position, and a small dose of contrast material may be given to see how long it takes to reach the area under study. Then the IV is hooked up to an automatic injector, contrast material is injected, and the scan begins. Afterward, the images will be reviewed and, if necessary, some will be repeated.

What will I experience during the procedure?

CTA takes about 10 to 25 minutes from the time the actual examination begins. Overall, you can expect to be in or near the examining room for 20 to 60 minutes. You may feel warm all over when contrast material is injected, but you should not feel pain at any time. Any CT study requires that you remain still during the exam. Pillows and foam pads may help make it more comfortable. At the same time, the nurse or technologist may use pads or Velcro straps to keep an area of your body from moving. The examination table will move into and out of the scanner opening, but it is not enclosed, and only a small part of your body will be inside at any one time. You may be asked to hold your breath for 10 to 25 seconds to be sure that the images will not be blurred. During the time that no actual imaging is taking place, you are free to ask questions or talk to the technologist, but friends or relatives will not be allowed in the examining room. Once the needed images have been recorded, you will be free to leave. You can eat immediately, and it is a good idea to drink plenty of fluids in the hours after the exam to help flush contrast material out of the system.

Who interprets the results and how do I get them?

A radiologist , who is a physician experienced in CTA and other radiology examinations, will analyze the images and send a report to your personal physician, who in turn will discuss the findings with you. Typically the results of CTA are available within 24 hours, although in complicated cases special computer analysis may take somewhat longer.