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What is a CT Coronary Angiography scan?

A Computed Tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to take detailed pictures of the inside of the body. This scan looks at your heart and the blood vessels around it.

How do I prepare:

Please wear comfortable clothes. You may be asked to remove some clothing or jewellery, etc. If this happens, we will give you a gown and make sure that you have privacy. If possible, please leave valuables at home.

It is important that your heart rate is calm and steady on the day of your scan.

Please arrive before your appointment time. This will give you time to relax and get ready for your scan.

If you take a medicine to control your heart rate (such as a beta-blocker), keep taking this as normal unless.

If you use Glyceryl Trinitrate, or GTN (a spray or tablet that you take under your tongue), please bring this with you.

What happens during the scan:

Before the scan, you will be asked some questions to make sure it is safe to go ahead.

A member of staff will put a small plastic tube (cannula) into a vein in your arm. This allows us to give you contrast dye during the scan.

When it is time for your scan, a member of staff will take you in to the scan room. You will lie on a scan bed that will move you slowly through the scanner.

We will place sticky pads on your chest to check your heart rate. A cuff will also be placed on your arm to check your blood pressure.

Sometimes we may need to give you medicine to slow your heart rate for the scan. This may be in addition to anything similar that you take normally.

We may also give you a spray or tablet under your tongue (GTN). This helps us get clearer pictures of the blood vessels around your heart. If you are given a tablet, please keep this under your tongue, and don’t swallow it.

You will be asked to hold your breath a few times whilst the scan pictures are taken.

After the scan, we may check your blood pressure again and remove the cannula.

Allergies/Conditions:

It is important to tell us if you have any allergies or conditions (e.g. heart conditions) ahead of the scan, especially if your procedure involves the use of contrast or medications.

Attending the appointment:

Please come to your appointment on your own if possible. If you need a carer or support person, they are welcome to come with you. They may need to wait outside the scan room during your scan.

Childcare:

Please arrange childcare before your appointment. If no one is available to stay with your child, we may need to book another appointment.

Staff involved in the procedure

Your scan will be carried out by a trained healthcare professional.Depending on the type of scan, this may be a:

• Radiographer
• Radiologist
• Cardiologist
• Technician

Students may sometimes help with scans. They are always supervised by a qualified member of staff.

Chaperones

You can ask for a chaperone at any time. A chaperone is a trained member of staff who can stay with you during your examination. Please tell us if you would like one. Occasionally, this might not be possible – we will rebook your appointment for when a chaperone is available.

Risks and potential side effects:

Ionising Radiation Risks:

Some scans use a small amount of radiation. We are all exposed to small amounts of natural radiation every day.

For most people, the risk from a medical scan is very low. We only do scans when the benefits are greater than the risks. We use the lowest radiation dose needed to get clear pictures.

Pregnancy

Please tell us if:

• you are pregnant
• you think you might be pregnant
• there is any chance you could be pregnant

Some scans may not be suitable during pregnancy. We will discuss the safest option with you.

We are legally required to check for pregnancy between 12 – 55 years of age therefore a staff member may ask you some questions related to this, and gender registered at birth.

Breast feeding

If you are breastfeeding, please tell us before your appointment.

Contrast (X-ray dye) procedures: Only a very small amount goes into your breast milk, and an even smaller amount is taken in by your baby.

It is your choice whether to stop breastfeeding for a short time. If you are worried, you can express and throw away your milk for 12–24 hours after the injection. After this time, you can breastfeed as normal. This is not usually needed for longer than 24 hours.

Leakage around the injection site (Extravasation):

Sometimes the dye from the injection can leak out of the vein and into the tissue around it. This is called extravasation.

Sometimes this can cause:

• pain or discomfort
• tinging
• swelling
• redness or blistering

These symptoms usually get better on their own after a few days. If this happens, we will give you advice on how to care for the area and when to get help. A small number of people may have further complications, if you are worried then please see a doctor.

Contrast Dye:

Contrast dye helps make the pictures clearer. Most people have no problems after receiving contrast dye.

Some people may:

• feel warm
• have a strange taste in their mouth
• feel sick/dizzy
• get a headache

More serious allergic reactions are very rare. Tell a member of staff straight away if you feel unwell.

After the scan, you may be asked to wait in the hospital for a short time so that we can make sure you are feeling well before you leave.

Aftercare

You can go back to normal after your scan. If you think you might have had an allergic reaction once you get home or need medical advice, you can contact:

• your GP
• NHS 111
• an emergency doctor

If you are very unwell or need urgent help, go to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) or call 999.

How will I get the results?

A specialist will look at your scan and write a report. The report will be sent to the doctor or healthcare professional who requested your scan.

You should receive your results within 4 weeks. If you have not heard anything after 4 weeks, please contact the person who referred you. Radiology staff cannot give results directly to patients.

Contact details for appointment or aftercare queries: