In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards, the number of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases in China is increasing, and early evaluation of coronary artery lumen stenosis and stenosis, and timely intervention**, can effectively improve the prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease. So what can radiology do in the process of early detection and intervention?
In the past, the diagnosis of coronary artery disease mainly relied on DSA examination, but with the development of high-end CT, coronary CTA examination has gradually become an important examination method for high-risk patients to check for physical examination and coronary artery disease screening
Question one. What is a coronary CTA test?
Coronary CTA is referred to as coronary CTA, which is an examination method for coronary artery imaging after the peripheral superficial vein injection of iodine-containing contrast medium and spiral CT scan through computer processing and reconstruction, which can well obtain the three-dimensional anatomical structure of the coronary artery, and can comprehensively analyze the morphology and density of the arterial plaque through post-processing techniques such as straightening and 360-degree rotation of the blood vessel, judge whether the blood vessel has stenosis and the degree of stenosis, and can also observe whether the blood vessel has congenital variation and the shape and size of the heart.
Question two. What are the advantages of coronary CTA?
It has the speed of examination, simple operation, non-invasive, no need for hospitalization, and low cost.
Question three. Who is a good candidate for coronary CTA?
People at high risk of coronary artery disease: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, family history of coronary artery disease.
Abnormal exercise electrocardiogram, unexplained chest tightness, chest pain, precordial discomfort, etc.
Preoperative evaluation of coronary intervention** or bypass grafting and regular postoperative follow-up.
Congenital heart disease.
Question four. Who is not a candidate for coronary CTA?
Those who are allergic to iodine-containing contrast media.
Patients with severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency.
Patients with severe arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation and frequent arrhythmias.
Pregnancy and trying to conceive.
Those who are unable to cooperate with the inspection instructions.
Question five. What are the precautions before and after coronary CTA examination?
Before the examination: The patient should fast for 4 hours before the scan and for 12 hours before the scan.
Breathing training: During the examination, the patient is required to hold his breath, the inspiratory amplitude should be moderate, and the chest and abdomen should remain stationary while holding the breath to avoid motion artifacts in the image.
Heart rate control: The heart rate is controlled below 70 beats per minute, and you can take heart-lowering medications.
Diabetic patients taking metformin need to stop taking the drug for 48 hours before the examination and continue taking it 48 hours after the examination.
After the examination: stay for 15-30 minutes and leave without discomfort.
Drink plenty of water to facilitate the removal of the contrast agent.
Author: Radiology Gong Tiantian.
Editor: Yang Xinrui, Propaganda Section.
Review: Zhang Di, Propaganda Section.