How reliable is a CT Coronary angiogram?

[kirsty3]

How reliable is CT coronary angiogram , I had one for bilateral chest pain, which cam on at various intervals. It was negative, no calcification and no plaques . However how good is this as a test. I still get the pains....not on exertion ..sporadically.

[kirsty3]

Hi It was not invasive. It used CT scan , no wires used. It was done with contrast. No recovery time. Not an angiogram with wires in the heart

[Katinka46 in reply to kirsty3]

I wonder if it was a CT Pulmonary Angiogram? (CTPA). Before it is done you have cannula put into the vein on the inside of your elbow, (in the UK, it is commonly green, how do I know? Long story...) the cannula is used to inject a dye trace into your vein, you might be warned before that it will make you feel warm, and as if you have wet yourself! There will be a succession of breathing instructions. As to it's accuracy, well, to be candid, it all depends on what the radiologist, that’s the doctor who looks at the result, has been asked to see, and what he can see. The guys who actually do the scan are radiographer. They usually can assess the result but are generally not supposed to tell the patient, but a dead give away is if they say: “When are you next seeing your consultant.” I had a CTPA scan which I knew showed Chronic Thromboembolic Disease. But it wasn’t picked up by the radiologist. It was another year before that scan was examined by super specialist radiologists at a tertiary centre who spotted it. Looking at the two reports on the same scan it doesn’t look like the same patient let alone the same scan. I had a High Resolution CT scan, a year later, and again airtrapping wasn’t picked by the first radiologist and I tentatively asked for a second opinion. LUCkily my Consultant was already thinking the same thing and had someone in mind, and —- yes —- there was the airtrapping. Now that probably just leaves you feeling completely at sea. Sorry, but a little bit of healthy scepticism can be helpful.

Kate

[Bkin]

CT scans are very reliable, so if your problem continues your doctor needs to investigate further. These tests and scans indicate what the problem may or may not be, the specialist examination of the results would reveal / indicate / confirm a problem or to elminate them.

[Kristicats]

Ct with contrast involves having a cannula put in your arm usually and then just before the ct scan starts the die is injected through the cannula. Can make the vessels feel a little warm for a few seconds. Good and fairly accurate test to have. Good luck with the results . Cx