Computed Tomography Angiogram (CT Angiogram)

Aortic CT Angiogram, Brain CT Angiogram, Carotid CT Angiogram, Cerebral CT Angiogram, Coronary Artery CT Angiogram, Heart CT Angiogram, Kidney CT Angiogram, Renal CT Angiogram

How To Prepare

Before you have a CT angiogram, tell your doctor if you:

• Are or might be pregnant.
• Are breast-feeding. You will need to use formula (not your breast milk) for 1 to 2 days after the CT angiogram until the dye has passed from your body. Or you can pump your breast milk and store it before the test and use that for a couple of days.
• Are allergic to any medicines, including iodine dyes.
• Have a heart condition, such as heart failure.
• Have diabetes or take metformin (such as Glucophage) to control your diabetes.
• Have a history of kidney problems.
• Have asthma.
• Have a history of thyroid problems.
• Have had multiple myeloma.
• Have had an X-ray test using barium contrast material (such as a barium enema) or have taken a medicine that contains bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) in the past 4 days. Barium and bismuth show up on X-ray films and make it hard to see the picture clearly.
• Have a pacemaker, a heart defibrillator, a neurostimulator, or an implanted or externally worn drug infusion pump. These medical devices may not work well during a CT scan.
• Become very nervous in small spaces. You will have to lie still inside the CT scanner, so you may need a medicine (sedative) to help you relax. If you are given a sedative, you may need to have someone take you home after the test.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours before the test. Your doctor will let you know if there are certain foods or liquids you should avoid.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Eileen Ellig	Last Updated: May 8, 2009
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine John A. McPherson, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Cardiology
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