CT-Coronary Angiography

Abstract

A large body of literature has demonstrated the ability of coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography to rule out significant stenosis. This test is a non-invasive alternative to conventional cardiac angiography in the work-up of patients suspected of having coronary artery disease (CAD) and increasingly as an option for the people. A multi-slices Computed Tomography (CT) is able to perform coronary angiography with very fast scanning time within a few seconds. It is an imaging test tool to detect cardiovascular disease in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It can be used to diagnose the cause of chest pain or other symptoms. Chest pain can be caused by myocardial infarction that may need immediate investigation and accurate diagnosis before any treatment. The procedure can be done as out-patient, convenient, and with very minimal contrast media (Dye) injection. A CT coronary angiography relies on a powerful X-ray machine with multi-detectors and special computer software to produce 2D and 3D images of the heart and its blood vessels. A conventional coronary angiography is an invasive procedure that requires a flexible tube (catheter) to be threaded through the groin or arm to the heart or coronary arteries. CT coronary angiography is an advantage, non-invasive, and the option for the patient who have contraindicated for conventional angiography. But clinically conventional angiography is still the gold standard for detecting coronary arterial disease.