I owe my life to this technology
Find out how radio show host, Bud Hedinger, became an unexpected patient.
Bud's story

Why are CT scans important?
CT scans allow doctors to see images of your internal organs and structures, including your heart and cardiovascular system, in great detail from a variety of angles. This gives your physicians critical information more quickly and, in many cases, more economically than they could achieve with other tests or invasive techniques. In those cases where doctors are trying to assess the risk of heart disease, the information from the CT scan can help them uncover disease at its earliest stages, and recommend changes in lifestyle or more aggressive treatment if needed.

Is CT like an x-ray?
Yes. CT uses X-rays in conjunction with advanced computer technology to generate very accurate and detailed images of your internal organs and structures. Your technologist will step into a control room to conduct the actual exam. You may notice a mechanical noise coming from the scanner. That is just the X-ray tube being activated and rotating around your body.

What is CTA?
CTA stands for Computed Tomography Angiography. CTA is one of several CT scan options that doctors can use to evaluate your cardiovascular health. With the help of a contrast agent, doctors can examine in very fine detail how well blood is flowing through your arteries, and identify any potential blockages or irregularities.

Will the CT scan hurt?
No. CT is a non-invasive test that will not hurt at all. Your exam may require that a contrast agent be given intravenously that will make your blood vessels and tissues more visible. For some cardiac studies, two ECG leads may be placed on your chest to precisely time the image acquisition to the specific interval in the heartbeat when there is the least motion. This provides more accurate, reproducible data for follow-up studies. You will then be asked to lie perfectly still once the technologist has positioned you on the table. You will also be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the exam. Any movement may require the exam to be repeated.

How long will my CT exam take?
The length of your CT exam depends on which particular study, or studies, your doctor has ordered. Most cardiovascular exams last just a few minutes. You may be asked to arrive at the facility 15 or 30 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time.

Do I have to do anything special to prepare for my CT scan?
How you prepare for you CT scan depends on what part of the body is being examined and the protocols used in your particular facility. In some cases the staff may ask you to change into a hospital gown for the exam. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything before your exam. You may also be given a contrast agent (intravenously or to drink) to help highlight a particular organ or body structure.

What is a contrast agent?
A contrast agent is a liquid substance that makes certain tissues stand out more clearly against their surroundings, enabling the finest details to show up on the X-ray, improving diagnostic accuracy. You may be given the contrast agent intravenously or orally. In all cases the contrast agent will leave your body naturally within a few hours. If your exam does require a contrast agent, be sure to tell the technologist if you have any allergies especially to iodine or shellfish.

What is calcium scoring?
Calcium Scoring is one of several CT scan options that doctors can use to evaluate your cardiovascular health. CT Calcium Scoring is a noninvasive test for quantifying coronary artery calcium content. The information acquired during your CT exam is processed with a specific cardiac scoring software package that evaluates and quantifies the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries. The calcium content correlates to the degree of blockage in your arteries and consequently provides clinicians with a good indication of what risks you face from heart disease.

Will I be alone during the CT exam?
You will be in contact with a technologist. Even when he or she is not in the CT room you will be able to communicate via intercom. The technologist will inform you when an exam is about to start, and when it is finished. Family members and/or friends are not permitted to stay with you in the CT room.

- June 2007

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