Coronary Artery CT Angiography

Procedure Overview

Coronary Artery CT Angiography at Gangnam Heartscan Healthcare Center utilizes a high-speed 128-channel cardiac multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanner within our Cardiac Health Screening & Cardiology center to non-invasively visualize the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. Through ECG-gated acquisition and three-dimensional vascular reconstruction interpreted jointly by Chief Medical Director Dr. Seonghak Park and our team of 16 board-certified specialists, the examination detects coronary artery stenosis, calcified and non-calcified atherosclerotic plaques, and congenital vascular anomalies without invasive arterial catheterization.

Clinical Indications

• Early detection of coronary artery disease in individuals with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking history, or family history of cardiovascular disease
• Quantitative Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring for cardiovascular risk stratification
• Evaluation of atypical chest pain, exertional dyspnea, or equivocal stress test findings alongside Echocardiogram (Cardiac Ultrasound)
• Non-invasive patency assessment following coronary stent placement or bypass surgery

Clinical Examination Summary Table

Parameter / Examination	Clinical Purpose	Preparation / Protocol
Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score	Quantifies calcified atherosclerotic plaque burden across major coronary arteries	ECG-gated low-dose non-contrast scan; brief 5–10 second breath-hold
128-Channel Contrast CT Angiography	3D visualization of coronary lumen narrowing, soft plaque, and vessel anatomy	Fasting for 6 hours prior; IV iodinated contrast injection and heart-rate control
Multidisciplinary Radiologist & Cardiologist Read	Evaluates stenosis severity and formulates preventive medical management	Pre-scan serum creatinine check and metformin hold guidance when indicated

How the Screening Works

1. Pre-Scan Assessment & Heart Rate Stabilization: Blood pressure and heart rate are checked; if needed, a short-acting oral beta-blocker is administered to optimize motion-free coronary image clarity.
2. ECG-Gated 128-Channel MDCT Acquisition: Intravenous contrast medium is administered via an arm vein while the 128-channel scanner captures sub-millimeter slices synchronized with the heartbeat during a brief breath-hold.
3. 3D Reconstruction & Specialist Review: Volumetric coronary reconstructions are interpreted by diagnostic radiology and cardiology specialists, with follow-up arranged via our Consultation & Inquiry Desk.

Preparation & Precautions

• Fast from solid food for at least 6 hours prior to a contrast-enhanced scan; clear water intake is encouraged to support hydration.
• Inform the medical team prior to the scan if you have a history of iodinated contrast allergy, asthma, renal impairment, thyroid disease, or if you take metformin for diabetes.
• Potential contrast-related reactions (such as a temporary warm flushing sensation, metallic taste, or mild urticaria) are monitored by clinical staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is heart-rate control important during 128-channel Coronary CT Angiography?

Because the heart beats continuously, maintaining a steady, calm heart rate allows the ECG-gated 128-channel CT scanner to capture images during the quiet diastolic resting phase between heartbeats, eliminating motion artifacts and providing sharp visualization of small coronary artery branches.

What preparations are needed if I take diabetes medication such as metformin?

Patients taking metformin-containing diabetes medications should inform the medical staff when booking Contrast Coronary CT Angiography. Depending on kidney function test results, the attending physician will advise temporarily pausing metformin on the day of the contrast scan and resuming it 48 hours afterward with adequate hydration.