Before Your Scan:
- You may eat up to 2 hours before your exam and have water up until your exam time.
- No caffeine for 12 hours prior to exam.
- No male enhancements (Cialis, Viagra, etc) for 72 hours prior to exam.
- Please arrive 1 hour before your appointment time. Your exam may take 1-3 hours.
- Please bring your photo lD, insurance card, your physician's order and any prior studies for comparison if not performed at FRC or lnova.
- Upon check-in you will be given some paperwork to complete. This information is very important, please answer all of the questions to the best of your ability.
- After your paperwork is completed you will be called to one of our prep rooms to start your exam and have your blood pressure and heart rate checked.
- The best images are obtained when the heart rate is below 65. Most patients require the administration of oral Metoprolol (a beta blocker) to achieve this rate. Metoprolol takes approximately 30-45 minutes to begin working.
- After 30-45 minutes we will recheck your pulse and blood pressure.
- Once your target heart rate is achieved, a CT technologist or nurse will go over any further questions that you may have and start an lV in your arm.
During and After Your Scan
- Once you are in the CT room, you will be given a nitroglycerin tablet to put under your tongue to improve scan quality.
- The technologist will then attach EKG leads to your chest for monitoring your heart rate during the scan.
- The scan will take approximately 10 minutes. Images without IV contrast will be taken first, followed by images with IV contrast. You may feel a warm sensation throughout your body when the contrast is injected. This is normal and will last approximately 1-3 minutes.
- During the scan, you will hear breathing instructions asking you to hold your breath for a few seconds at a time. This is very important to decrease breathing motion during the scan.
- After your scan is completed, your lV will be removed and one of the staff will go over discharge instructions with you.
- Most people are ready to be discharged immediately. If, however you feel unwell or have any concerns, please notify the technologist or nurse.
- If you have any non-emergency questions or concerns after leaving our office, please call to speak with a CT technologist at the office where you had your exam done. In the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
- Results will be sent directly to your physician.
Would you like to know more about Coronary CTA?