Cardiac Imaging

A technician will place small metal disks called electrodes on your chest. These electrodes have wires which attach to the ultrasound machine. This machine monitors your heart rhythm during the test. To image the heart, the technician will press firmly as he or she moves the transducer across your chest and will ask you to briefly hold your breath during the test. For most of the test, you will be required to lie still.

Contact our friendly staff for more information.

Our cardiac imaging services includes:

• CT calcium scoring (CACS) 
• CT cardiac angiography (CTCA) Cardiology Consulting Service
• Echocardiograms

A CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) is a non-invasive imaging study used to evaluate the coronary arteries.

Is there any preparation?
Yes. As you will be having an injection of the x-ray contrast, you will be asked to have no food for 2 hours before but you may keep drinking water. It is good to have a slow and steady heart rate for this scan, so you will be asked to not smoke, consume any caffeine (this includes tea, coffee, sports/energy drinks, coca cola, chocolate etc.), take any Viagra, Chialis or Levitra, or exercise for 24 hours prior to the scan.

What to expect at your appointment?
You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scan to complete all necessary paperwork. When that is done, our cardiac nurse will take you through to check your blood pressure and heart rate. As we need a low steady heart rate for the scan, sometimes it is necessary to give you a medication called metropolol and our Radiologist will discuss this with you. If we give you some metropolol, it takes up to an hour to take effect. When your heart is slow enough to do the scan, the Radiographer will take you through for your scan. You may be asked to change into a gown. You will need to remove any jewellery from the area being scanned. You will need to lie on the CT table and the radiographer will put a cannula in your arm for the x-ray contrast and connect you to an ECG. The scan is triggered a certain point in your heart beat to help get better pictures. When the scan is all finished you will be able to get changed and have a tea or coffee. If you have been given some metropolol, you will need to wait for approximately 30 minutes before you are allowed to leave.

How long does the scan take and when will my Doctor have the results?
The scan itself takes only a few seconds but the whole procedure of getting ready takes 15-20 minutes. Your Doctor will receive a report within 48 hours.

Prior to your scan and to ensure optimal imaging, you may be asked to change into a gown. A change cubicle will be provided to ensure your privacy and you will be asked to bring your belongings will you, carry baskets are provided. You will be asked to place your belongings in a suitable location within the room for the duration of your scan. After your scan, you will be provided with a change cubicle to ensure your privacy. Please ensure you have all your belongings with you prior to leaving the department. If you accidentally leave anything behind, please contact our staff to advise and we will endeavour to locate your belongings and return them to you.