Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA)

CCTA is used for patients who have already been diagnosed with acute or chronic chest pain. It can provide valuable information for doctors without putting patients under unnecessary heart stress, which is important since many of these patients are considered higher risk for complications.

The CCTA scan itself only takes 15 minutes, but patients should plan for a 45-minute appointment. You will lie fully dressed on an exam table. You will be given 75-120ml of contrast via IV. Contrast is a medical dye that is visible on the images, providing physicians with more detailed information about your coronary arteries. During the scan, you will be asked to hold your breath and lie completely still in order to ensure clear images. Once the scan is complete, a radiologist  and a cardiologist will review your images. Most patients leave the appointment at this time; however, patients who experience a drop in blood pressure due to the pre-exam medications will stay for monitoring.

Please plan to arrive 45 minutes early. Do not eat or drink anything for four hours before the appointment. No nicotine or caffeine after midnight the night prior to the exam. You will be given a medication to lower your heart rate for the exam, which you will take orally 90 minutes before the appointment. You will also take a nitroglycerin tablet just before the exam to dilate vessels so that they are large enough to be seen on the scan. This may cause a small headache.

Results are typically available within 24-48 business hours. Images from the scan will be read by one of our subspecialized radiologists as well as by a cardiologist from Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. Reports from both physicians will be used to make a diagnosis and sent to your doctor. After receiving both reports, your doctor will contact you to discuss the results. He or she may recommend a treatment plan, which could include diet and lifestyle changes, medication and/or further testing.

Carolinas Imaging Services - Huntersville
Atrium SP ED
Carolinas Medical Center
CMC - Mercy
Atrium Health Pineville
Atrium Health University City
Carolinas Healthcare System - NorthEast
Carolinas Healthcare System - NorthEast Outpatient Imaging – Copperfield

CCTA requires a written physician order and completion of the Atrium Cardiac CT Information form. Your doctor can email the completed information packet and written order form to  shviAdvancedImagingScheduling@atriumhealth.org or fax to 704-446-3970. Upon receiving the required information, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute will schedule the exam.

Please check with your insurance plan to confirm that the procedure is covered. You may be responsible for all or a portion of the bill.  Payment may be required at the time of service. Please call 704-362-7020 if you have questions about pricing, insurance coverage, and/or billing before your scheduled appointment.