128 Slice MDCT Scan

1. Patients at high risk for developing coronary artery disease – risk factors include high lipid levels, family history, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, stressful life, sedentary lifestyle.
2. Post-bypass/ Stent assessment.
3. Even if ECG, Echo, Stress test is relatively normal, major coronary artery disease can be present.

Conventional catheter angiography needs hospitalization and it indicates if there is evidence of acute myocardial infarct changes on ECG or Ca score -> 400.

• Fasting for at least 2 to 4 hours before the procedure.
• Serum creatinine report (done no later than two weeks before).
• Stabilization of heart rate with a beta-blocker.
• Bring all previous test reports including MRI, CT or any other papers.
• There should preferably be an accompanying friend or relative with the patient.

• Once the heart rate is stabilized.
• A vein is cannulated.
• Breathing instructions are given so that the patient can hold his/her breath for about 5 seconds for the calcium scoring study. 
• A non-ionic “dye” is injected and the coronary CT Angiogram study is performed.
• The scan time is about 5 seconds & the total on table procedure time is 15–20 minutes.
• The entire procedure takes about 60 minutes depending on the heart rate.

• Though X-rays involve radiation, there are no dangers in practice.
• Contraindicated in pregnant women.
• CT coronary angiography with 128 Slice CT scan involves very little radiation to patients ranging approximately between 3-14 mSv.