What is a CT Coronary Angiogram?

A CT coronary angiogram is a two-part test to look for the presence of coronary artery disease, which is caused by a build-up of fatty material in the walls of the coronary arteries.

Your appointment

On arrival in the Imaging Department, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown and taken into the CT room, where the angiogram procedure will be explained to you by the Consultant Radiologist and Radiographer. When you are on the scanner bed, we will connect ECG leads to your chest and insert a cannula into your arm. This will enable us to give you a contrast injection and any drugs that will be required. You will be asked about any allergies you may have. The scans are performed at high speed in time with your heartbeat, and it is therefore important that your heart rate is reasonably controlled. To do this, you may be given a short-acting beta blocker to help the heart slow down if your rate is too fast

After the angiogram procedure

If you have been given a beta blocker, you will be taken to an area to rest and your heart rate monitored to ensure it has returned to normal before you go home. If no beta blocker has been used, you will be asked to remain in the department until the Radiographer has checked that you’re feeling comfortable enough to go home. It is important that you maintain your fluid intake and stay well hydrated following the scan.

How long does an angiogram take?

The CT Coronary Angiogram will last approximately 40 minutes, but please allow 1–2 hours in the department for your appointment.

How will my CT coronary angiogram be reported? 

All CT coronary angiograms performed at New Victoria Hospital are double reported as standard. Each scan is independently reviewed by two highly experienced specialists: a Consultant Radiologist and a Consultant Cardiologist with expertise in cardiac imaging.

This combined expertise provides:

• Greater diagnostic accuracy, particularly in complex cases of coronary artery disease
• A reduced risk of abnormalities being missed or incorrectly identified
• Clearer and more comprehensive reports to support treatment decisions
• Additional reassurance when decisions about medication, further investigation or referral are finely balanced

For patients, double reporting provides greater confidence in the diagnosis and may help reduce the likelihood of unnecessary further investigations.

Your report will be made available to your referring Consultant or GP routinely within 48 hours.

Supporting your GP or referring clinician

Double reporting provides your GP or referring clinician with a robust cardiac imaging assessment, supporting confident decision-making and helping them determine whether you require reassurance, medical treatment or referral for further care.