coronary CTA history

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