CT coronary angiography CTCA
A CT with contrast, synchronised to the heartbeat, that reconstructs the coronary arteries without passing a catheter.
What it can show
Plaque and narrowing in the coronary arteries, and the amount of calcium.
What it cannot show
A fast or irregular heart rate blurs the images. Heavy calcification makes the degree of narrowing hard to judge.
This is the half people skip. A normal result answers one question, not every question.
Tell the staff before you start
Contrast allergy · kidney disease · asthma · irregular heart rhythm · erectile dysfunction medication (interacts with nitrates that may be used during the scan).
Also bring the full list of every medicine and supplement you take. Things bought without a prescription belong on that list too.