Victoria's first Dual Source Computed Tomography (CT) has two X-ray tubes instead of one, and is able to generate up to 128 slices per rotation. This allows hundreds of images to be produced within a single short breath being held by the patient.
The high speed of the scanner allows us to completely "freeze" heart motion, therefore giving more accurate images. There is often no longer a need to give patients medication (known as a beta-blocker) to slow down the heart rate, as was required with older single source X-ray technology, including 64-320 slice scanners. The scan is performed during a small injection of X-ray contrast ("dye") into a vein in the arm and uses the most advanced radiation dose-reduction techniques currently available.
Coronary CT Angiography is used to:
- Assess individuals who are symptom free but have risk factors for heart disease;
- Accurately rule in, or out, the presence of presence of coronary artery disease, and can accurately assess its severity, if present;
- Help identify other causes of chest pain that might be unrelated to heart disease;
- Confirm if bypass grafts are still working and whether the underlying disease has progressed in follow-up patients who have previously had cardiac surgery, and
- Other applications
High-Risk Heart Disease
Coronary CT Angiography is particularly useful for the following categories of High-Risk Heart Disease Patients:
- Men aged 45 and over with a family history of heart disease;
- Women aged 55 and over with a family history of heart disease;
- Current or previous smokers; and
- Individuals who are overweight and/or have high cholesterol.
What does the scan involve?
You will be asked to fill in a consent form for the administration of the X-ray contrast (dye) injection that is necessary to highlight the blood vessels in the heart. To obtain the best image quality, it will be necessary for you to hold your breath for 10-20 seconds. Patients will spend approximately 10 minutes in the scan room although the scan itself only takes around 6-15 seconds, depending on the patient's heart rate. Typically, the whole appointment takes less than 30 minutes. Our bookings staff will be able to give you detailed information about how to prepare for the examination.
What happens after the examination?
When your scan is completed, our medical imaging technologists will process the data obtained. Our radiologists will interpret the images and the results will then be forwarded to your doctor.
The Dual Source CT at our East Court practice is the first of its kind in Victoria. Not only does this allow us to perform cardiac CT with unsurpassed detail and speed but also ensures we are able to deliver the most accurate results possible for many types of CT.
Please click here for a patient brouchure
Here we have included information about our new state of the art Dual Source CT system that is available at our East Court rooms in Geelong.