What is CT Angiography (CTA)?
Noninvasive imaging of the heart has been a challenge because of the heart’s constant motion. EKG-synchronized computed tomography (CT) has solved many of the problems and allowed for exquisite imaging of cardiac anatomy and pathology with unparalleled spatial (space) and temporal (time) resolution. Current generation scanners have multi-row detectors capable of generating numerous images with each rotation of the gantry (tube).The scan can be done in a prospective manner by activating the X-ray for only the time needed to acquire the image or in a retrospective manner by scanning several cardiac cycles and using the EKG to reconstruct the images based on the timing interval from the R wave. Computer generated cardiac images may include the overall cardiac anatomy, coronary anatomy, coronary lumen, atrial appendage, calcifications, and hard or soft plaque. Because of the differences in the absorption of X-ray by various types of tissue, CTA can distinguish different tissue types (histo
