Coronary CT Angiography (Virtual Angiography)

Thanks to imaging techniques developed with current technologies, diseases that may occur in the heart vessels can be evaluated with computed tomography (CT) in just 1 second. It is a method in which cardiovascular vessels are visualized thanks to its ability to take images up to 16 cm without table movement when necessary, and Yeditepe University Hospitals can also provide the same quality of service to patients who have undergone by-pass surgery or who cannot be photographed on standard devices due to high pulse.

Why Yeditepe University Hospitals?

Among the outstanding features of the Coronary CT device within Yeditepe University Hospitals, the most important is its spatial temporal resolution and its ability to make dose performances a suitable blend, so that the maximum quality can be achieved with the minimum dose. Especially in the imaging of heart vessels, thanks to smart movement correction, high-resolution and motion-independent imaging can be performed at one pulse at all heart rates.

Thanks to its large detector opening and high table speed, it provides sedation-free imaging in traumatized and pediatric patients. With this method, the examination time has been shortened considerably and the imaging of the heart vessels takes place in 1 second.

Who is Suitable for Coronary CT Angiography?

The fact that the patient carries a risk factor is the most effective factor for choosing this method.

Risk groups that will undergo coronary CT Angiography:

Patients with a family history of cardiovascular disease
Patients with high blood pressure
Obesity patients
Patients with high cholesterol and/or triglyceride values
Smokers
Diabetes patients

The coronary CT method is also used for control examination of patients who have undergone stent implantation and bypass operation.

Who Should Not Undergo Coronary CT Angiography?

Those who cannot hold their breath
Those with advanced iodine allergy
Those with advanced kidney failure

How to Prepare for Coronary CT Angiography?

Medications used continuously during the day can be used. However, the medications used must be reported to the relevant health personnel before the examination.
Before the examination, nothing should be eaten or drunk for 5 hours.
The night before the examination, food and beverages such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks that increase the heart rate should not be used.
Important diseases such as kidney failure and allergies must be reported to the doctor.
When coming to the examination, the previous test and examination results, if any, should be brought.

How Is Coronary CT Angiography Examination Performed?

Coronary CT Angiography Examination is performed under the constant supervision of health personnel and doctors.
The patient's communication with the health personnel is provided with a microphone.
During the entire examination, the health personnel can hear the patient and are in constant communication with the patient.
In the first step of the examination, a control image is taken before intravenous medication administration.
Images are obtained by “staining” the heart and coronary vessels with the contrast agent administered through the intravenous route.
When the medication is given intravenously, a feeling of warmth and/or a metallic taste in the mouth may be felt. This is a normal and temporary situation.
Motor sounds will be heard when the imaging device starts to operate. During imaging, it is very important that the patient does not move, remains calm and the patient holds his or her breath. The breath holds time is only 1 second.

How Is the Process After Coronary CT Angiography Examination?

After the examination, the patient can continue his/her normal daily life, eat and drink something. It is recommended to drink an extra 1 liter of water during the day so that the contrast agent given during the examination can be removed from the body faster.

This content was prepared by Yeditepe University Hospitals Medical Editorial Board.

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