CT Cardiac angiogram

[Cornishbeach]

Hi, just thought I would go through my experience of a CT cardiac angiogram as it may relieve some worries. Hope it helps.

I was booked for this test a week after an emergency admission with chest pain to rule out any coronary artery disease. I was obviously scared of the outcome on top of my mitral valve prolapse and bigeminy diagnosis a year ago. I didn’t have to do a Covid-19 test but I did a LFT anyway and had to wear a mask.

I arrived for my appointment and was taken to a cubicle and asked to change into a front opening gown, removing all my top half clothes only. Once I had done that I had a cannula put into my right arm and taken straight to the scanner room. The radiologist went through the procedure, checked my details and gained consent. I did a trial run of holding my breath when asked.

I then laid down on the couch and was hooked up to the iodine drip. I explained i had a frozen shoulder on my left side so couldn’t put that arm above my head so I only had to put my right arm up. It was supported by a pillow. I was given a spray of GTN to calm my rhythm and this settled the bigeminy briefly. I hadn’t reacted to the GTN before but some people get a headache.

The machine then took over and I was moved forward on the couch and the scanner started to rotate. A voice told me when to hold my breath and when to breathe again. I didn’t have to hold it for long. About 5 minutes in I experienced a very warm feeling going down my chest into my abdomen and to a point where I thought I had wet myself but I hadn’t! They had explained I would get the warm feeling and I had read in the information that you can feel as though you have wet yourself so hope that helps others that you don’t 😂 It must have been about 15 minutes and it was all done. The radiologist explained he had got some good pictures but the bigeminy had made it a bit more difficult. I was advised to sit up slowly and then I had to wait outside the room for 10 minutes just to check I was ok and have the cannula removed. I felt fine. After that I could get changed and was advised to drink a lot of water to flush my system.

I had been asked to go to another department to get the results so I walked there. They were incredibly busy as the off shoot of the emergency department and I had to wait about 2 hours but I was given a sandwich and water was on tap. I didn’t mind as I knew I was going to be given the results that day. Eventually I was called in and was told there was no sign of coronary artery disease thank goodness. It was such a relief! 2 minute chat and done!

Next up a repeat echo which will be 6 months after my TOE to rule out any further structural changes and waiting on a discussion with my cardiologist around surgery.

Sorry if it was long but I hope it might help those who have not experienced one before.

[Nettekin]

Hi cornishbeach. What a positive post and thank you for thinking of other people by reassuring them. The unknown is always a scary place and I'm sure you will help others. So pleased about your results as well, what a relief. Take care x

[Faub]

I had one last week, your description is very detailed and explains exactly what happens 😊

[Qualipop]

I've had several scans with that dye. Ooh that warm feeling is so weird. You really do feel as if you've wet yourself.

[DickyValve]

Sounds like you were very lucky. I had to wait 10 weeks for the results of my scan. Nice description.

[Cornishbeach in reply to DickyValve]

That's such a long time to wait. I think I got mine that day as I was being seen as an ambulatory patient (allowed home after A&E visit but kept on the books so to speak). I feel very lucky.

[EMBoy]

I went for a CT Angiogram about 18 months ago, but when they started injecting the dye, I nearly threw up and they had to stop. I felt awful for a few minutes, but recovered quickly. I don't want to go through that again. It's a good job most people don't react that way. Sorry to put a dampener on things - just saying how it was for me.

[Cornishbeach in reply to EMBoy]

Oh I'm sorry. 😔