Cardiac CT Scan: Function, Procedure, and Side Effects

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A cardiac CT scan is one of the diagnostic tools for some heart problems. This examination uses the help of X-rays from various angles so that it can provide a clearer picture of the heart, especially the structure of the heart and blood vessels in it.

 

What is a heart CT scan?

A cardiac CT scan is a heart examination procedure that uses X-rays from various angles to obtain a 3-dimensional image of the heart to detect various heart problems. A CT scan can usually inform the doctor of any problems that may be present in the heart, the heart's blood vessels and its structure.

 

CT scans of the heart can be used in two ways, without and with contrast administration. Non-contrast scans are mainly performed to measurecalcium in thecoronary blood vessels(coronary calcium scan, CT calcium scan) and calcium in the heart valves (especially the aortic valve). Contrast-enhanced scans are performed mainly to assess the blood vessels of the heart (CT angiogram). It is also used to assess the dimensions of the chambers and accessories of the heart, as well as the major blood vessels (chambers, appendix, aorta and pulmonary vessels). Often the examination is performed continuously (without and with contrast), among others to assess the presence of blood clots (thrombus) and the characteristics of masses (tumors) in the heart.

 

This is a non-invasive procedure and usually requires outpatient care.

 

CT scan of the heart in assessing coronary artery blockages

In general, the main benefit of a cardiac CT scan is to look at the condition of the heart and its blood vessels. It is able to see whether there are any narrowings or blockages that would affect the blood flow to the heart. It has a very high sensitivity rate of close to 100% to rule out coronary heart disease in patients.

 

With a CT scan, we can assess the risk of heart attack or other heart diseases even before the symptoms appear. A CT calcium scan (without contrast) aims to quantify calcium buildup in the arteries of the heart, which may increase a person's risk of a heart attack. A CT angiogram scan (with contrast) is performed to look at the condition of your arteries, including any blockages or plaque buildup.

 

The following are some of the benefits and purposes of performing a cardiac CT scan:

• Finding the cause of the chest discomfort, chest pain and shortness of breath you are experiencing
  
• View the condition of the blood vessels and look for calcium or plaque build-up, which causes narrowing or blockage of blood vessels
  
• Check the condition of the heart valves
  
• Check the condition of the aorta, such as the presence of aneurysms (swelling) or dissections (tears)
  
• As an initial procedure to plan robotic or minimally invasive heart surgery and cardiac ablation
  
• To see if there is congenital heart disease
  
• To see if there are any tumors or masses in or around the heart
  
• Check the condition of the heart membrane (pericardium), whether or not it is filled with fluid or calcified (calcium buildup).
  

 

Heart CT scan procedure

The cardiac CT scan procedure will be performed by a radiology technician and read and interpreted by a cardiologist. Usually, you will only need to be an outpatient (no hospital stay required).

 

Before the procedure, you may be given medication to slow down your heart rate so that the images are clearer.

 

Here are the stages of the heart CT scan procedure:

• You will be asked to lie on your back on the scanner table.
  
• Electrodes are placed on your chest to monitor your heartbeat via an ECG. The ECG also helps the CT scan produce clearer images of the heart.
  
• When everything is ready, the table will slowly move into the scanner tube.
  
• If contrast fluid is used, it will be injected intravenously into an arm vein.
  
• While inside the scanner tube, you need to stay still and not move too much. You can talk to the nurse or technician controlling the machine using the intercom inside the machine.
  
• The machine will rotate to take pictures of the heart from different angles.
  
• The technician or nurse may ask you to hold your breath for a few moments to get the desired image of the heart.
  
• This process will last for 5-10 minutes.
  

 

During the scanning process inside the tube, you will hear a buzzing sound that may be quite noisy. No need to worry, as this indicates the machine is working.

 

After the examination process you can go home and come back at a later time for the reading of the results.

 

Risks

A CT scan of the heart is a low-risk procedure. The amount of X-ray radiation used is fairly safe. However, pregnant women should not undergo this procedure because of the potential adverse effects on the fetus.

 

The risk of side effects usually comes from the use of contrast fluid. This can be in the form of an allergic reaction. It is very rare for the contrast fluid to cause a life-threatening reaction.

 

Beyond that, cardiac CT scans rarely pose a risk of serious side effects so you don't need to worry about it.

 

 

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