Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA); The Newest, Safest Way to Look at Your Heart

As a Health and Wellness writer I enjoy relaying information that is "state of the art" and the "Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography" (CTA) is state of the art or becoming so. The CTA is taking over for invasive and risky procedures when trying to determine heart disease.

Keep in mind that there are two definitions for state of the art. One is the actual discovery and use of a procedure and the second is the frequency and availability of a procedure and the Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography has come into most people's reach.

What is the Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography?

The CTA consists of special X-Ray equipment working in conjunction with contrast materials provided by an intravenous injection. This equipment is capable of taking a look at your heart and blood vessels without more dangerous and uncomfortable invasive procedures like an arteriogram.

When might a CTA be used?

A couple of situations provided by our reference materials suggests in the emergency room "when a person has chest pain." Or, how about when a stress test is inconclusive?

There are of course many, many situations when a doctor wants to know more details about a person's heart and blood vessels that heretofore have been denied him on such an easy basis..

Let me share with you a first person situation where it would have been nice to have a coronary computed tomography angiography.

In 1988 I had an "episode" where my blood pressure went to 240/120; I had a constant headache over my right eye. The right side of my stomach was numb and my left foot was "floppy." I had suffered a "transient ischemic attack (TIA)" which is a "baby stroke." I should have died. My right carotid artery had closed completely (dissected) however as in only 185 cases accounted for in history (Mayo Clinic first person), the left carotid took over. However the doctors did not know that immediately. They treated the blood pressure and started testing.

Of course they were concerned about coronary artery disease. They thought perhaps what had caused the shutdown was plaque buildup in the arteries including the carotid arteries. That meant perhaps the left artery was in danger.

In order to find the answer to their question in 1988 the test available was an arteriogram. This was invasive. It consisted of going in through the groin with a catheter on a tube and travelling through arteries including within the heart.

It can be a dangerous procedure-people die from it. In my case there was good news and bad news. My arteries were amazingly "clean." Unfortunately the catheter's heat made my body develop a clot which slammed into my right kidney and destroyed about 15 percent of its working capability.

If I had the same condition today the doctors would be able to order a CTA and it would not involve going into my body to check my heart and blood vessels.

What does the CTA equipment look like and exactly what does it show?

Once it has been ascertained that you require a Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography the following video will show you what the CTA equipment looks like and what it will show. You may view it by going here.

It is important to remember that heart disease is the leading cause of death of both sexes in the U.S.

Now you know should the issue of a potential heart problem or coronary heart disease come up for you or someone you care about, that you have a safer test available to you.

References:

"What you should know about CT of the Coronary Arteries," Brochure, Methodist Medical Center Medical Imaging

RadiologyInfo.org Website, "Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)"

You Tube Website, "Coronary Computed

Tomographic Angiography-Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute"