Coronary CT angiography, or “CCTA,” is a new imaging technique for evaluating the coronary arteries and the presence or absence of plaque. CCTA is ground-breaking because, for the first time, we can actually identify not only hard plaque but also soft plaque – the so-called “vulnerable plaque” that we now know actually causes heart attacks. Using advanced computer technology to analyze the data, we can establish the severity of coronary disease and better define appropriate treatment for the individual patient. 

Risk Factors

To prevent heart attacks we must do more than simply detect heart disease in patients with chest pain or obvious risk factors. The truth is simple and undeniable. With appropriate treatment, many heart attacks can be prevented. To do this effectively, we must not only screen the appropriate patients for coronary artery disease, but also proactively consider this possibility when patients present with other cardiovascular diseases, such as peripheral vascular disease, carotid artery stenosis, renal artery stenosis, aneurysm, or stroke.

Algorithm for Diagnostic Evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) based on recommendations by the American College of Radiology and the American College of Cardiology Foundation, with modifications by ProScan Imaging based on our clinical experience and an updated literature review.