CT Angiogram

General Information

Computed tomographic angiography, often shortened to CTA, is a minimally invasive procedure that captures images of the blood vessels. Similar to a CT scan, several images are captured and layered to create 3-D images of your arteries and veins. This allows your doctor to get a detailed image of your blood vessels functioning.

As part of our comprehensive heart diagnostic services, Parkview Heart Institute offers CTA tests to diagnose and treat a wide range of heart & vascular conditions. Talk to your primary care provider about getting a screening with us or call (574) 537-5000 for a referral.

Do I need a CTA test?

If you have symptoms of a vascular problem, a CT angiogram can help your care team accurately diagnose and treat your condition. At Parkview Heart Institute, your doctor may recommend a CT angiogram after learning about your symptoms and performing a physical exam and other diagnostic tests. We also use CT angiograms to look for injury to blood vessels after trauma.

A CT angiogram can detect:

What to expect

Getting a CT angiogram at Parkview Heart Institute is painless. To get the sharpest images of your blood vessels, you’ll need an IV injection of contrast dye. After receiving the contrast dye, you’ll lie on a table that moves you within the machine that captures the images. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, you may be able to go home on the same day.

For a complication-free CT angiogram, always tell your doctor and radiologist:

  • About any medications you are taking, particularly metformin
  • If you’ve had a previous allergic reaction to contrast dye
  • If you have kidney disease
  • Any unusual symptoms after the test, such as shortness of breath or bleeding from the IV site

We can help

A CT angiogram may be the procedure you need to find the root cause of your symptoms. Ask your doctor how you can become a patient with us or call (574) 537-5000 for a referral.