AMERICAN RADIOLOGY SERVICES

Coronary CT Angiography at American Radiology Services

By: Susan Nigro, Director of CT

Computed Tomography, known as CT, has undergone a rapid evolution over the last decade. The speed at which the scanners are able to acquire data has decreased from minutes to seconds. With the transition to multi-slice scanners we are now able to see smaller structures that were previously not seen or were difficult to distinguish. The 64 slice scanners that we have at American Radiology Services allow us to be able to provide the ability to scan the coronary arteries of the heart. A procedure known as Coronary CT Angiography is an examination that can be used in the detection of coronary artery disease.

Coronary CT Angiography must be performed using at least a 64 slice CT scanner. The benefit to having this exam done on a high slice count scanner is that it allows for images to be obtained during the heart's relaxation phase, which is very minimal. Scanners that are capable of very fast rotation times, less than 0.5 seconds, achieve this. The objective is to decrease any motion artifacts that may be present due to other factors such as breathing. Intravenous contrast is required for the exam in order to better visualize the coronary arteries.

A number of clinical indications can be evaluated with Coronary CT Angiography such as visualization of soft plaque, vessel patency, stent patency, congenital heart disease, or anomaly to name a few. Those individuals with abnormal stress tests, chest pain, or a family history of coronary artery disease may be good candidates for the exam.

New for 2010, the AMA has established CPT codes for Coronary CT Angiography. Previously, category III codes were used to track and bill the procedure. With the establishment of CPT codes, there is a better possibility of having the test reimbursed by insurance companies. Additionally, CT for calcium scoring was also assigned a CPT code.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 443.436.4079 or request an appointment online at www.americanradiology.com.