CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA)

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A CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) is used to assess why you are experiencing chest pain, in particular those who are at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease.

A CTCA is a non-invasive imaging study which is quick and painless. It’s used to evaluate the condition of your coronary arteries but differs from a Calcium Score as CTCA can identify narrowing of arteries and distinguish between the hard (calcified) and soft (un-calcified) plaques. The soft plaques are often hard to see on other imaging modalities, but it’s these which can cause heart attacks.

Heart disease is the hardening, narrowing or blocking of blood vessels in your heart and a CTCA can offer early detection of this condition.

If you have a CTCA, you will also have a Cardiac Calcium Score. You can read about this procedure here.

How do I prepare?

Please don’t have any caffeine for 24 hours prior to your appointment. (This includes Coke, Tea, Coffee and Chocolate). Drinking water is fine and we recommend you remain hydrated.
Please don’t exercise in the 12 hours prior to your scan.
Please don’t eat or drink anything in the 2 hours before your scan.
Please arrive early for your exam as you will be asked to change into a gown. Wearing a two piece outfit can make this easier for you.
If you are on any medication, it’s very important you follow the instructions given to you by your referring Doctor about whether to continue or cease taking them.
We also need to you to take a tablet at dinner the night before the examination and one 2 hours before your scan. These should be taken with a light snack or food.
The tablet is either a Beta-Blocker or a Calcium Channel Blocker to control your heart rate during the scan.
Your referring doctor will provide these tablets, however we also have a supply should you need.

Technology and Team

Queensland X-Ray utilises various CT scanners, which includes the Toshiba Aquillion at Sunnybank Private Hospital and the Siemens Flash CT at Greenslopes Private Hospital in Brisbane.

Your CT will be performed by an experienced Radiographer. A Radiographer is a university-trained health professional who works with cutting-edge technology to produce X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and other images.

At Queensland X-Ray we have a team of Clinical Support Workers (CWS) who will remain with you throughout your scan and make sure you’re comfortable from start to finish.

Once the images are taken, they’ll be read by a Radiologist – a highly trained specialist medical doctor – who will interpret the images to diagnose illness and injury.

What happens during my examination

The Radiographer will explain exactly what will happen during your procedure. It may vary slightly from what we describe below, so don’t worry if this is the case, you’ll always be in very good hands.

On arriving for you appointment your heart rate will be taken to see if you need any additional medication to slow your heart rate.

We will insert an intravenous (IV) line into your arm. We will use this to give you some contrast, which will enhance the images we take of your heart.

An ECG will be placed on your chest for the duration of the scan. This will measure your heart rate.

Throughout your examination you will be asked to hold your breath several times, for no longer than 10 seconds at any one time.

Following this procedure you will be asked to remain in the practice for around 30 minutes so we can monitor your heart rate and blood pressure while they return to normal. During this time we’ll give you something to eat and drink.

The scan doesn’t take long, but please allow an hour and half for your appointment.

After your examination

The results of your CTCA will be sent directly to your referring Doctor. Please ensure you book a timely follow-up appointment to discuss your results with them.

Cost

The cost of a CTCA will depend on the reason for your scan. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Currently, only referrals from Cardiologists attract a Medicare rebate for CTCA.

Locations providing this service

189 Lake Street

189 Lake Street,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Bayside

16 Weippin Street (Opposite Redland Hospital) Cleveland, QLD, 4163

Beenleigh

105 City Road,
Beenleigh, QLD, 4207

Bowen Hills

Bowen Hills Medical Specialist Centre
Suite 3, 16 Thompson Street
Bowen Hills, QLD, 4006

Browns Plains

14 Grand Plaza Drive,
Browns Plains, QLD, 4118

Cairns Private Hospital

144 Lake Street,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Capalaba

Ground Floor,
Rickey Street,
Capalaba, QLD, 4157

Cleveland

43 Wynyard Street,
Cleveland, QLD, 4163

Coorparoo

342 Old Cleveland Road,
Coorparoo, QLD, 4151

Domain Central

21a/I Domain Central,
103 Duckworth Street,
Townsville, QLD, 4812

Douglas Discovery Rise

Clinical Practice Building,
James Cook Drive (cnr Mt Stuart Street),
Douglas, QLD, 4814

Fairfield

Fairfield Homemaker Centre
1 D'Arcy Drive
Idalia Qld 4811

Gold Coast Airport Central

Airport Central, 1 Eastern Avenue, Bilinga, QLD, 4225

Gold Coast Private Hospital

Ground Floor, 14 Hill Street, Southport, QLD, 4215

Greenslopes Private Hospital

Lower Lobby Level,
Newdegate Street,
Greenslopes, QLD, 4120

Helensvale

GC North Medical Hub
Helensvale Homeworld
Tenancy 78, First Floor
502 Hope Island Road
Helensvale QLD 4212

Logan Central

1 Wembley Rd
Cnr Wembley and Kingston Roads
(Service Road)
Logan Central, QLD, 4114

Logan Road

589 Logan Road,
Greenslopes, QLD, 4120

Loganholme

62 Bryants Road,
Loganholme, QLD, 4129

Mackay Fourways

96 Nebo Road,
West Mackay, QLD, 4740

Market Square

Ground Floor, 309 Mains Road
(Cnr Elva Street)
Sunnybank, Qld, 4109

Mater Hospital Brisbane

4th Floor, 32 Raymond Terrace,
South Brisbane, QLD, 4101

Mater Private Hospital Hyde Park

9-13 Bayswater Road,
Hyde Park, QLD, 4812

Mater Private Hospital Mackay

76 Willetts Road,
North Mackay, QLD, 4740

Mater Private Hospital Pimlico

Fulham Road,
Pimlico, QLD, 4812

Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane

301 Vulture Street,
South Brisbane, QLD, 4101

Mater Private Hospital Springfield

30 Health Care Drive,
Springfield Central, QLD, 4300

Medici Medical Centre

13-15 Scott Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

North Shore

7/50 North Shore Boulevard,
Burdell, QLD, 4818

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital

Cnr of Kessels and Troughton Roads,
Coopers Plains, QLD, 4108

Russell Street

127 Russell Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

Southport

128 Queen Street ,
Southport, QLD 4215

St Andrew’s Hospital Toowoomba

280 North Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

St Vincent’s Hospital Brisbane

411 Main Street,
Kangaroo Point, QLD, 4169

St Vincent’s Hospital Toowoomba

Scott Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

Sunnybank Private Hospital

Level 1, Sunnybank Private Medical Centre
245 McCullough Street,
Sunnybank, QLD, 4109

Taringa Westside Private Hospital

32 Morrow Street, Taringa, QLD, 4068

Upper Mount Gravatt

Ground Floor,
1985 Logan Road,
Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD, 4122

Warwick

51 Wood Street,
Warwick, QLD, 4370

Westcourt

318 Mulgrave Road,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Wynnum

101 Clara Street,
Wynnum, QLD, 4178

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