Good morning
I have finally got my date for a CT angiogram. I wondered if anyone can tell me what to expect and how it feels as I was surprised when they called me they said to expect to be here 2 hrs even though the scan is around 15 mins.
I am waiting for my letter to arrive with more details.
Thank you
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
My husband had one in 2019. It was all pretty straightforward as described in the link above. We had to wait a hew hours after the procedure to ensure there were no complications - maybe 3-4 - he is in his late ‘80’s, so I expect that’s where the advice that you will be there 2 hours comes from.
Thank you Mine is only a CT scan. They did say they may have to give me a spray under the tongue and something to slow my heart for the scan as it needs to be under 60 BPM for the images.
You said angiogram so they will inject dye into your system in the way described in the BHF site - this is the NHS description of CT Angiogram.
nhs.uk/conditions/angiography/
A CT Angiogram is a non invasive procedure done in a CT scanner. I have had this twice. Heart rate has to be below 60 so drugs are given if necessary. It is performed in the same way as any other CT scan. You are asked several times to breathe in and hold your breath. A dye is injected during the scan.I think I had to wait 15 minutes before changing to make sure no side effects from the dye.
A much easier procedure than a standard angiogram. Obviously if stents are necessary that would be done at a later date in the normal manner.
Hi Spudly22, I had this procedure done last year, just before lockdown .I had gtn spray to open the vessels and metoprolol to slow my heart down. Now I'm already on propranolol but because I get anxious I had the maximum dose of metaprolol. This slowed things down as they had to keep adding more to the mix.😁 They inject iodine, which is strange but bearable...you just feel a strange warming feeling and you go into the machine and hold your breath when told. You have to be checked after in case your bp goes too low. Since I suffer dreadfully with raised bp in medical settings mine was fine and I was allowed to go.
I'm sure you'll be fine as I was.😀
Thanks! I will also be v anxious during the hospital visit I am sure 🤦🏻♀️
I had a ct angiogram with contrast dye in December. The test itself took 15 to 20 minutes and was the most straightforward test imaginable. The 2 hours they mention is because they check your bp etc first then you have to go and change into a gown and wait outside the scanner room.
After the test you are required to wait for half an hour to see if you feel ok after the dye they used so you can see how the time stacks up. The test is absolutely nothing to be concerned about, honestly,
Thank you! 😅The stuff they give you to slow your heart rate... does it make you feel odd?
No Spudly it didnt affect me at all and i have had two ct angiograms in the past two years. I am on a beta blocker which i was told to take as usual. My heart rate was still above 65beats per minute so they gave me an injection but it still wouldn't come down so they gave me another beta blocker injection. I thought i would feel awful after my heart got back to normal after the scan and all the injections but no, no reaction whatsoever.
The GNT spray they put under your tongue to open up the arteries tasted nasty but that only lasted about thirty seconds. The dye gave no symptoms other than feeling as though you are weeing yourself but that lasts five seconds only.
I must add my body is extremely sensitive and i can react to medicines and sensations quickly, but i was completely unaffected by the whole procedure, drugs and all. Please feel reassured. Best wishes.
The NHS site CDreamer sent is very clear I had an angiogram two years ago and it is just an injection (wrist in my case) and the consultant doing it let me look at the screen as your heart and blood vessels show up clearly. It is absolutely nothing to worry about. You have to rest a little afterwards and in the unit I was in they gave the results before I went home. If they find any blockages they may want to insert stents straight away or may need to send you somewhere that does that later on. Nothing to worry about! I don't recall having injections for heart rate etc so maybe this is done differently in different units
I had the newest CT with contrast prior to my recent OCT ablation. They said sinus heart rate was not an issue. The CT would even work if I was in AFIB or other arrhythmia. This was my second or third on over the years.
What do you mean by "newest" please and where did you get this done? Thank you.
The CT Scanners are not all the same. Some have newer tech than others. There is constant advancement, but it's expensive. I got scanned locally in my city in eastern Washington state before I flew down for my ablation. It was at a large imaging center. All they do is CT, MRI, xray, etc. They have the latest and greatest. Good Luck! to you. Whichever machine you get ... it's an easy procedure.
Just had one. Went into AFIB with a 160 heart rate while laying on the CT table. They said no problem, injected the dye through my IV and took the pictures. When the dye gets injected you feel a super warm wet feeling at your rear end. Very weird, but easy. Worst part of the entire test is getting the IV (had another rookie fail to find a vein and had to send in a nurse to get the job done)
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