Cardiac computer tomography (CT) angiography procedure

What is a cardiac CT angiography?

A cardiac CT angiogram is an examination that is used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart, coronary arteries, and large vessels of the chest.

Before the cardiac CT angiography

Prior to your arrival, you will be asked several questions over the telephone by our nurse to make sure that the scan (and sedation if needed) can be performed safely.

Your child will be asked not to have caffeine (coffee, chocolate, Coke, Mountain Dew) for 12 hours prior to the scan. They will also be asked to have nothing solid by mouth for 4 hours prior to the study. Clear liquids within that 4 hour time period are allowed.

If your child is to be sedated for the study, there will be additional instructions given about the sedation and your child will be asked to have no solids by mouth for 8 hours prior to the study. Clear liquids are allowed up to 2 hours prior to the study, but nothing can be taken by mouth for the 2 hours prior to the study.

During the procedure

When you arrive, the staff will explain the test and the equipment used. For the scan, contrast (dye) will be injected into your child's vein through an intravenous (IV) line. This line will be started by a nurse before the scan begins.

Your child will then be asked to lie on a table connected to the CT scanner and a nurse will place heart monitoring leads on the chest. For those children needing sedation or anesthesia, medications will be given at this time. Parents can remain with their child until sedation medication is to be given but then must leave the scan area and wait in the patient waiting lounge until the scan is completed. The technologist and nurse will keep the patients informed of what is happening throughout the exam.

If needed, your child will be given a beta blocker medicine through his IV line to slow the heart rate down so that the scanner can take clear pictures. Their heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen level will be monitored throughout the scan.

As the exam begins, it will be very important that the child lie still and follow the instructions given by the nurse, technologist and doctor. The technologist will ask your child to hold his breath several times during the test.

As the IV contrast is injected, your child may feel warm and flushed, feel the urge to urinate, and/or have a metallic taste in his mouth. These are normal effects. However, please have your child tell the staff immediately if he feels short of breath or has itching after the contrast is injected as these can be signs of a contrast reaction.

After the procedure

If the child received a beta blocker through the IV during the scan, he will be transferred to the recovery area where a nurse will monitor the heart rate, oxygen level and blood pressure for at least one hour. The child will then be given discharge instructions and can go home. If sedated for the study, your child will be transferred to the recovery area where a nurse will monitor his heart rate, oxygen level and blood pressure for at least one hour and until the sedation discharge criteria are met. You will then be given discharge instructions before going home.

If your child did not receive a beta blocker or sedation he can go home as soon as the scan is completed.

Your child may resume normal activities and diet after the test. Although it is rare to experience any delayed allergic reactions, please contact a doctor if any skin rash or swelling occurs.

Technology/Scanners used

Siemens' SOMATOM Sensation Cardiac 64 CT (Computed Tomography) scanner

To schedule a cardiac CT angiography

Please have your physician complete a request form and fax it to Children's Memorial Hospital at 773.880.6014 . Your physician will also need to provide us with a recent history and physical examination form to insure that it is safe for us to perform this test.

Thank you for having your examination performed at Children's Memorial Hospital. Please feel free to contact Medical Imaging at 773.868.8000 if you have any questions or concerns about a cardiac CT angiogram.