CT Angiography

What Is CT Angiography?

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an imaging technique where a CT scan is optimized to provide precise images of the blood vessels that travel through the brain, neck, heart, lungs, and other parts of the human body. A CT angiogram can reveal if there are abnormalities affecting blood vessels and artery walls. plaque buildup, blockages, tears, and aneurysms are some of the medical conditions that may be detected during a CT angiogram study.

What Are The Benefits of CT Angiography?

A CT angiogram provides extremely detailed pictures of the blood vessels flowing throughout your body. Not only can a CT angiogram be used as a diagnostic study, but it can be conducted during more invasive procedures. Sometimes, a CT angiography will be conducted during surgical repair of blood vessels to assess their strength. A CT Angiogram is a quick, accurate, and minimally invasive study that can provide important insights about your health.

What Are The Different Types of CT Angiograms?

• Aorta CTA – Identifies blockages in the chest or abdominal area that can cause various medical conditions.
• Brain CTA – Assesses the wellbeing of the blood vessels that travel through the brain and neck.
• Carotid CTA – Identifies potential blockages of the carotid arteries that can cause medical emergencies such as a stroke.
• Leg CTA – Identifies sources of unexplainable leg pain caused by blockages or plaque buildup.
• Pulmonary CTA – Assesses pulmonary arteries for medical abnormalities including pulmonary embolism.
• Renal CTA – Assesses the renal arteries to check for blockages that may cause kidney disease or hypertension.

How Do I Prepare For A CT Angiogram?

The preparation for a CT angiogram is similar to a traditional CT scan. A CT angiogram takes approximately 15 – 20 minutes to complete. During the study, contrast material will be administered intravenously through an IV by a certified staff member. The contrast material helps produce the clearest images possible so accurate decisions can be made from the results. After the study, the images will be analyzed by one of our subspecialized radiologists, then sent to your physician.