New Hartford Scanner Associates Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Coronary CTA? Is Coronary CTA a screening exam?
A Noninvasive Coronary CTA (CT Angiography) is a heart-imaging test (a CT Scan) to determine if either fatty deposits or calcium deposits have built up in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. It is not a screening exam. Patients who have the exam need to have symptoms of heart disease. Coronary CTA is very accurate for evaluating narrowing of the arteries. The exam will also include calcium scoring, coronary artery assessment and a functional assessment (wall motion and ejection fraction).
The technology required to perform a Coronary CTA is a 64-row CT Scanner.
The exam has a very high negative predictive value (97%) which means that the exam is very accurate in excluding significant disease. The exam takes only a few seconds with the 64-row multislice scanner.
Coronary CTA is the only noninvasive method for depicting coronary arteries and the anatomy of the heart.
Can the exam visualize soft plaques?
Yes. Soft plaque visualization is excellent.
Which patients are candidates for the exam?
Coronary CTA is a diagnostic exam. Therefore, patients who are experiencing symptoms of heart disease are candidates for the exam. Patients who have an irregular heart rate, are pregnant or who cannot hold their breath for more than 10 seconds may not be able to perform the exam.
What are the advantages of coronary CTA?
The advantages are that the test is noninvasive and painless. The heart does not have to be stressed for the exam.
What are the disadvantages of coronary CTA?
Since the exam is noninvasive, it does not measure or sample blood directly. We are not able to measure the pressures in the chambers of the heart and other direct measures of the blood with a coronary CTA.
How long will the exam take? What is the preparation for the exam?
The preparation required is minimal. An intravenous catheter is placed in a vein in the arm. A drug is typically used to control or slow down the heart rate, and contrast is injected into the vein. The procedure usually takes a few minutes in total.
Are there any risks for the patient?
Risks include the usual risks associated with CT. These include reactions to the contrast injection and exposure to radiation.
Are there medications that may interfere with my CT exam?
Not typically. Patients should check with their physician.
Can this technology be used to evaluate placement of a coronary artery stent?
Yes. For stents larger than 3mm in size, cardiac CT is an excellent tool for assessing in-stent lumen. For stents smaller than 2.5mm, the results are still equivocal.
What kind of preparation is necessary for the patient?
The patient needs to fast 4 hours prior to the procedure. If the patient’s heart rate is greater than 65 BPM then medication may be administered prior to the exam to slow the heart rate.
How do I schedule an exam? What information is needed to schedule an exam?
An exam may be scheduled by calling our office at 315-624-6254. You will need a physician’s prescription.
Our staff will need some information in order to schedule your CT. This information includes: whether or not you have or have a history of diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, allergies to dye, a pacemaker, a defibrillator or a history of atrial fibrillation.
If you are over 40 we will need a recent (within six weeks) BUN and a Creatinine level which is a lab test that your physician may order. If you have had previous chest CTs, please let us know.
Is the exam covered by insurance?
As with all types of services, different insurance carriers have different coverage, deductibles and co-pays. At present, we bill these services in the same way that we bill a CTA of the chest. Your doctor must provide a medically necessary reason for this test.
When will we have the results?
Your physician will have the results within 24 hours. If requested, a preliminary report may be generated within 2 hours of the exam.
What is calcium scoring?
Calcium Scoring is a CT screening exam with low radiation dose. It is for asymptomatic patients. Calcium Scoring is used to check for heart disease or to find out how severe heart disease is. The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart. Normally, the coronary arteries do not contain calcium. Calcium in the coronary arteries is a sign of Coronary
Artery Disease. The radiologist will evaluate the images on a computer screen and determine the calcium score. The score measures the extent of calcified coronary artery plaque which is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. The goal of the calcium scoring exam is to identify patients who are at risk for cardiac disease.
The exam is painless and noninvasive. There are no needles or injections. This exam is not covered by insurance. Please contact us for information about cost. A prescription is needed for the exam from your physician.