WHAT IS CT ANGIOGRAPHY?
CT Angiography (CTA) uses CT technology to produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body. CT is a non-invasive medical test used to look inside your body using cross-sectional images. The CT scanner has a large ring and the x-ray tube rotates around you 360 degrees, taking a picture or “slice”. The computer then creates this picture onto a computer screen and “hard copy” photographs are taken to record findings. In CTA, a contrast material is injected into a peripheral vein to produce detailed images of both blood vessel and tissues.
WHERE IS CTA OFFERED?
Radiology Associates of Ocala offers CTA at two convenient locations: Medical Imaging Center, TimberRidge Imaging Center, Medical Imaging Center at Windsor Oaks and TimberRidge Imaging Center Heathbrook Pavilion.
WHAT TO EXPECT
During the exam, you will lie flat on your back or possibly on your side or on your stomach. Straps and pillows may be used to help you maintain the correct position and to hold still during the exam.
A technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) line into a small vein in your arm or hand.
A small dose of contrast material may be injected through the IV to determine how long it takes to reach the area under study. During scanning, the table will then move to the start point and then move relatively rapidly through the gantry opening in the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed. An automatic injection machine connected to the IV will inject contrast material at a controlled rate both prior to and during scanning.
You may be asked to hold your breath during the scanning.
Once the scanning is complete and all images needed have been acquired, your intravenous (IV) line will be removed.
After a CT exam, you can return to your normal activities. If you received contrast material, you may be given special instructions.
