Coronary CTA (CCTA) is an important noninvasive imaging modality for detecting heart disease. CCTA uses CT scanning technology to take detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels. It is useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the most common heart disease and occurs when cholesterol builds up in the arteries of the heart and causes blockages. CCTA can detect both calcium deposits and soft plaque in the arteries. The test involves injecting iodinated contrast while images are acquired and then processed for a cardiologist to analyze. CCTA is now often used instead of invasive cardiac catheterization to diagnose CAD.

1. IMAGING
Coronary CTA ( CCTA)
Arnav Kolluru

2. Why is CCTA an important imaging modality ?
• Cardiovascular ( heart ) disease is no 1 killer in United states.
• Prevention and early diagnosis is the key.
• Imaging plays a major role in the diagnosis of heart disease
• Coronary CTA has emerged as one of the key noninvasive tests to
detect heart disease .

3. What is CCTA ?
• CT scan is a special x ray equipment
uses computer technology and
takes detailed pictures of the body
organs .
• Coronary CTA is a specialized CT
scan uses to check the blood
vessels of the heart and heart
structures .

4. What is coronary artery disease (
CAD)
• CAD , means blockage in the blood vessels supplying
the heart .
• Heart has three major blood vessels .
• CAD is the most common heart disease, also know
has Atherosclerotic heart disease.
• Cholesterol deposits and forms plaque and causes
blockage of the blood vessel.

5. • Cardiac catheterization /coronary
angiogram: used to be gold standard
to detect CAD
-It is an Invasive procedure to check
the blood vessels of the heart for
blockages .
-This invasive procedure is limited only
for stent placements and in the setting
of acute heart attack.
• Coronary CTA is noninvasive test and
now used to diagnose CAD.

6. CCTA

7. How is it done ? CCTA
• Patient lays on the CT table
• IV line and EKG leads placed
• IV iodinated contrast injected and then scanning starts per machine
protocol
• Images are acquired , processed and sent to cardiologist or radiologist
to read.

8. CCTA images
Normal

10. Abnormal
Findings
• White flecks (
calcification ) and dark (
soft plaque ) , arrows
are blockages

11. CCTA is also used by ER physicians for evaluation of acute chest pain,
helps rule out CAD and aortic tear .
Radiation exposure ( now very minimal with new advanced scanner ) and
avoid in kidney problem patients ( iodine used as contrast is nephrotoxic,
so use with caution)
Artificial intelligence ( AI) intergraded is the way to go ………

12. Thank you