CT Scan - Angiogram not done

[OldaYoda]

I am being investigated for Angina, symptoms mild, but there is a family history. Currently on Statins, Asprin and Beta-blocker.

I was booked for a CT Cardiac Gated Complex Congenital with Contrast. I arrived, got in the donut had the first scan - described as "simple of the heart" - then nurse came out and said something like "the doctor has seen calcium deposits in the heart and we aren't going to do the contrast scan".

I am now worried - does this mean the doctor saw the calcium was bad and so didn't need to do the contrast scan as I am proper poorly, or does it mean what they saw was insignificant? I have to wait for GP to get back with results - this could take a while. It took 6 weeks and 4 phone calls to get result of an echo earlier in the year.

Does anyone have any idea what could be going on?

[Yumz199725]

Maybe because of the calcium deposits then they were unable to complete the scan? I mean I'm not medically trained obviously but like you said maybe they saw the problem and didn't need to do the scan? 🤔X

[Hidden]

HiI can't tell you what's going on but ten months ago I had those tests and an echocardiogram with no results,as a result of last Saturday I'm as bad as I was but apparently they didn't see anything put it down to a tear in the chest wall ,my partner said all our information is on an NHS app to view , I'd try that see what you can find out

[Blearyeyed]

This is quite a common occurrence.Cardiac risk assessment usually involves some level of what is called CAC scoring.

This stands for Coronary Artery Calcium and is a really good way for Specialists to assess the level calcium / plaque and from that estimate it's significance and decide on the needs of patient.

CAC assessment doesn't require a dye.

It doesn't necessarily mean that the result was very bad even if Calcium is present .Some people can have low to mid range CAC scores that would not necessarily require serious treatment but allow the Specialist to decide how much time there can be before the patient needs another cardiac or CAC assessment and which medications would be best for them.

People can be booked in preliminarily for the CT scan Gated with Contrast but the specialist can choose to try the non gated CT without contrast at first or only do the CAC assessment.

Specialists try to do these tests by getting a balance of using the least amount of radiation exposure time required while getting the best images possible. It could mean that the initial scan that they did was very clear and with little to no background noise in the images so it was easy for them to see and assess what was required without needing to extend the type of scan used.

It does not necessarily mean that the calcium seen on your scans was worse than they anticipated or had shown up a serious problem. Just that the scan they got was enough for them to finish their assessment from without putting the patient under greater stress or needing to do a contrast dye based scan.

I know it is a worry. The waiting is often worse than getting the news or a treatment, but as you wait try to keep calm and try not to speculate about the outcome of the test.

Neither the Specialist or the Patient can be sure of anything , including good news , until the scan you did get has been thoroughly examined. You can be sure though that if the Specialist had needed to they would have continued taking more scan images whether there had been CAC or not.

Take care and please post again if you have any other questions and give us an update when you get the results, Bee

[OldaYoda in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you - that’s so helpful and clear.

I am trying to learn patience, but it’s a challenge. Your reply puts a great perspective on what happened and what may happen next. I am very grateful and will be sure to let you know the outcomes when I get them