CT Angiography

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) uses an injection of contrast material into your blood vessels and CT scanning to help diagnose and evaluate blood vessel disease or related conditions, such as aneurysms or blockages

Tell your doctor if there is a possibility you are pregnant and discuss any recent illnesses, medical conditions, medications you are taking, and allergies. You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything several hours beforehand. If you have a known allergy to contrast material, your doctor may prescribe medications to take before the CTA exam to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Leave jewelry at home and wear loose, comfortable clothing.. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about how to proceed.

What is CT Angiography?

Doctors use angiography to diagnose and treat blood vessel diseases and conditions. Angiography exams produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body. Most exams use contrast material.

Doctors perform angiography using:

x-rays with catheters
computed tomography (CT)
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
CT angiography uses a CT scanner to produce detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body. During the exam, contrast material is injected through a small catheter placed in a vein of the arm. A radiologic technologist will capture high-resolution CT images while the contrast material flows through the blood vessels.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

CT angiography is helpful in examining blood vessels and the organs supplied by them in various body parts, including:

heart
chest
lung

Physicians use CT angiography to diagnose and evaluate many diseases of blood vessels and related conditions such as:

aneurysms
blockages
blood clots
congenital (birth-related) abnormalities of the cardiovascular system, including the heart
disorganized blood vessels, such as vascular malformations
injury
tumors
vessel rupture or tears