Cardiac CT

Overview of Cardiac CT

A cardiac CT scan (also called coronary CT angiogram, or CTA) uses CT technology and intravenous contrast material to create very detailed images of the heart and its blood vessels.

The CT scanner takes many images from different angles by rotating an x-ray tube around the body. The contrast material (a special dye that shows up on x-rays) is injected in a vein. During the test, it highlights the arteries that feed your heart.

A computer uses the information from the X-rays taken to create detailed images. The images can look like thin cross-sections ("slices") of the area being studied, or a 3D mapping like the one shown here.

Cardiac CT In Depth

Learn more about cardiac CT from Intermountain's Patient Education Library:

• Computed Tomography Angiogram (CT Angiogram)

Patient Instructions

Learn what happens (and what you need to do) before, during, and after cardiac CT:

• Patient Handout: Coronary CT Angiogram  (En Español)
• Patient Handout: Radiation Exposure in Medical Tests  (En Español)

Where Do I Go?

Cardiac CT is performed on both an inpatient and outpatient basis at Intermountain Medical Center. Outpatient cardiac CT is performed in the Outpatient Radiology Department, Building 2 (Eccles Outpatient Center), Level 2.

• Link to campus map and driving directions.

If you have questions please call us: 801-507-4701.