Examination: Cardiac CT scan with contrast

People with symptoms of arteriosclerosis can be examined using a cardiac CT scan with contrast to determine whether the symptoms are caused by arteriosclerosis. In some cases, the examination is carried out prior to a heart valve operation, in cases of heart failure, and before starting medical treatment for arrhythmia. In rare cases, the examination is performed to diagnose congenital heart disease.

Blood test

If you are to be given contrast agents or contrast fluid, we need to assess your kidney function with a blood test. If your kidney function is normal, the blood test must have been taken within three months prior to the examination. If your kidney function is reduced, the blood test must not be more than eight days old. If you have not had the blood test at Privathospitalet Mølholm, you can have it done either by your own GP or at your nearest hospital.

Medication

An important prerequisite for obtaining clear images of the coronary arteries is that your heart rate is low. In some cases, additional heart rate-lowering medication is necessary. If you have not already been given the medication during your visit to us, an electronic prescription will have been issued, and you will be able to collect the medication from your nearest pharmacy.

On the day of the examination, it is important that you take the medication at least two hours beforehand and continue to take your usual medication as normal.

If you are being treated with Orabet, Glucophage, Metformin or Avandamet, you should stop taking these two days before the examination. If you have impaired kidney function, you should only resume taking this medication once a blood test carried out by your GP after three to five days shows that your kidney function has not changed.

It is important to note that taking Viagra, Cialis or other erectile dysfunction medications is not permitted within 72 hours of the examination.

Contrast medium

Since a contrast medium will be injected into a vein in your arm, it is important that you drink plenty of fluids (two to three liters of water, juice, etc.) the day before and on the day of the examination. This will help the contrast medium to be excreted via the kidneys. If you have previously experienced hypersensitivity reactions to contrast medium or if you suffer from kidney disease, it is important that you inform the staff.

Food and Tobacco

Consumption of coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks or other caffeinated beverages is not permitted in the four hours prior to the examination. As mentioned above, it is important to drink fluids. Smoking and eating solid food are not permitted in the two hours prior to the examination. These measures are in place to ensure that your heart rate does not rise unnecessarily, which could result in poorer image quality.

A CT radiographer will meet you and ask you a few questions before inserting a thin plastic tube into a vein in the crook of your arm. If necessary, you will be offered a sedative. You will then be invited into the examination room where the CT scanner is located. Electrodes will be placed on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm. The staff will explain the procedure and guide you through some breathing exercises. It is important that you can hold your breath for about ten seconds at a time.

Immediately before the examination, you will be given two doses of nitroglycerine to place under your tongue. This will dilate the coronary arteries of your heart, making them easier to see on the scan. If you have experienced side effects from nitroglycerine in the past, please inform the staff beforehand. It may be necessary to administer heart rate-lowering medication intravenously.

The contrast medium will be administered through the plastic tube in the crook of your arm. This may cause a temporary sensation of warmth throughout your body and, in some people, a metallic taste in your mouth. This is normal and completely harmless.

The examination is painless and carries an extremely low risk.

The scanner is not very deep and even most people with claustrophobia can undergo the examination without any problems.

You should expect the examination to last approximately one to two hours. The scan itself takes only a few seconds, so you will spend some of the time waiting. Therefore, it may be a good idea to bring a book or something similar.

You can go home half an hour after the examination. You can resume normal physical activity immediately after the examination and return to work straight away. Remember to drink two to three liters of fluid within the first 24 hours after the examination.

You should receive a letter with the results within one week. A follow-up outpatient check-up is often also scheduled.

The examination is painless and carries an extremely low risk. In isolated cases, temporary effects on the kidneys may occur. Hives are rare, and severe hypersensitivity reactions are extremely rare.