You have been booked in to have a procedure called a CTCA.

If you have questions about the procedure itself, please call us to speak with our Radiologist.

Why are you having this procedure?

This is a special procedure that provides very detailed images of  your heart, coronary vessels and plaques that may be present in, or around your cardiac vessels. Any narrowing or obstructions of your vessels can be identified with this study. 

 Prior to this procedure please advise us if you have;

• Atrial fibrillation or an irregular heart beat

• Are taking verapamil or diltiazem

• You are pregnant (or possibility of pregnancy)

• If your kidney function testing is suboptimal

• Unwell (especially if you have an infection, cough or cold) in the current COVID-19 climate we will defer your appointment until you are well.

About the procedure

The best advice for this scan is to relax as much as possible.

We keep you informed of what we are doing at all times. If you have read this information in advance of your scan you will be better prepared.

The best quality images for a CTCA are gained  when your heart rate is slow, ideally between 50—60 beats per minute.   We take the scan  of your heart between your heart beats—so the slower your heart the more accurate and successful the scan will be. We use ECG monitoring to choose the best time to take the scans. 

As mentioned the goal heart rate is between 50 – 60 beats per minute.  This is why we enquire about  your  resting heart rate when you are being booked.   From this information we then decide if you require a premedication to assist in slowing your heart rate further.

On the day of your scan if your heart rate is still elevated we may need to give you medication called metoprolol to help slow your heart rate further.

Medication called GTN spray is given to you to help open the coronary arteries for better imaging. 

A contrast dye is injected in to your arm via a IV drip to demonstrate the coronary arteries clearly, while scanning. 

You will be given specific breathing instructions to follow during this scan.

 
Instructions to prepare for this procedure

• Do not consume any caffeinated drinks for 24 hours prior to procedure (including coffee, tea, energy drinks, caffeinated soda’s and chocolate)

• Do not take Viagra, Cialis or Levitra for 72 hours or 3 days prior to this procedure (these medications can react to the medications we give you during the procedure).

• You can eat and drink normally leading up to this procedure, keeping in mind to avoid caffeinated food and drinks.

• No vigorous exercise 24 hours prior to this appointment.

• Please bring all your medications with you on the day of your procedure, including asthma inhalers.  Take you usual medications on the day of procedure (unless discussed previously).

• Remove any metal jewellery.

• Arrange for another person to be able to drive you on the day of this appointment to and from Absolute Radiology.

• Collect the prescribed medication from Vivian Phamacy and follow the specific instructions listed under ‘Pre-medication’ heading.

What does this procedure involve?

• A referral from a Cardiologist or your GP.

• We will then contact you to discuss the preparation and arrange an appointment date and time for this procedure.

• The duration of this appointment is usually 30-45 minutes. But is dependent on your heart rate on the day, if your heart rate is higher then your procedure may take longer. 

The procedure

Prior to this procedure you will have your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturations checked.

You will have an IV line inserted in your arm for contrast dye to be injected through to demonstrate the coronary arteries clearly. Contrast is given while we scanning.

If required,  medication will be given to help slow your heart rate, usually through your IV line.

When your heart rate is slow enough we will move you to the CT scanning room, and attach the ECG dots to your chest. We also will attach to your IV line the contrast or dye for injection.

Immediately prior to scanning we give you GTN spray under your tongue.  This can give you a headache, and lower your blood pressure (caution when standing up following examination as you may feel lightheaded).

Breathing instructions will be given to you throughout the scan.  It is important that you follow these as they further slow your heart rate and keep you still during the actual scanning process.

Scan time is approximately 5 minutes if your heart rate is low and stable.

Post procedure

Once the scanning is complete and images have been reviewed you can move back to the CT preparation area. 

You can change back to your clothing.

We keep the IV line in place for 10 mins after your scan.

Once changed to your clothing you will have your blood pressure and pulse rechecked.   Once these recordings are satisfactory,  your IV line has been removed, you are able to leave. 

We do recommend that you have someone available to drive you after this procedure.  The medication (GTN) that we give you can cause you to be lightheaded or dizzy for a period after this procedure, this is why we don’t want you to drive.

Recommendations following this procedure

• Avoid over exertion for the remainder of the day.

• Drink water to help flush the contrast through your system. Eat normally.

• Do not drive following this procedure until you have returned to your normal baseline function.

• Resume any medications that you may have withheld for this procedure.

• The results of your examination will be electronically sent to the referring Doctor and your GP or family doctor. 

• Our formal reporting is completed by a Cardiologist.
  

If you are prescribed a pre-medication

When you are booked for this procedure we decide whether you require a premedication to slow your heart rate down.  If you do require this medication a prescription for a medication called Ivabradine is arranged.

This is only available for collection from:

1. Vivian Pharmacy, 95 Vivian Street, New Plymouth

2. Robertsons Pharmacy, 94 High Street (this branch only), Hawera.

There will be an associated dispensing charge of $10 per patient, payable to the Pharmacy on collection of medication.

Three tablets of ivabradine will be dispensed to you. 

The first tablet is taken 24 hours prior to your scan,

the second tablet the night before your scan and the

final tablet on the morning of your scan.

It is safe to take this medication with most other medications.

Sedation Info

If you require sedation for this procedure you will need to discuss this in advance with your GP. If this is required they can provide you with a prescription for a sedative to collect from your chemist. You will need to bring this prescription with you to your appointment and to have advised us in advance that you require sedation as additional monitoring of will be required prior to your procedure and after your procedure.

You will also require someone to drive you home, and stay with you for the next 24 hours

Side effects of some sedation medications can last for up to 24 hours following administration.

You may not remember some of the information discussed, this is a normal side effect.

For the next 24 hours you should not;

• Drive or operate any vehicles or machinery

• Drink alcohol

• Make any important decisions,

• Sign any legal documents

• Travel unaccompanied

If you have any questions prior to your appointment, please call us to speak to our nurse.