Cardiac CT Angiography

You want a careful evaluation if you have a condition that affects the blood vessels to your heart. Your healthcare provider may want to get a look at your heart using an X-ray technique such as computed tomography, also known as a CT or CAT scan. When used to produce images of the arteries to the heart, this procedure is called cardiac computed tomography angiography, or CCTA. Like other CT scans, this one is painless and requires no recovery time.

During your CCTA, you take in an iodine solution through an intravenous (IV) injection. The solution acts as a dye, or contrast medium, for the X-ray. The dye helps identify plaque, which can build up over time and reduce or block blood flow. Plaque buildup, especially around the heart, is a serious health risk.