Intermediate Technical IVT

cardiac CTA

Also written as: CTA — Computed Tomography Angiography

Computed tomography angiography of the heart and coronary arteries using contrast enhancement.

Full Definition

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses multi-detector CT scanners with ECG gating to visualize the coronary arteries and cardiac structures. The procedure requires intravenous contrast injection and often beta-blockade to achieve optimal heart rates for imaging. Cardiac CTA can assess coronary artery stenosis, evaluate bypass grafts and stents, detect coronary anomalies, and provide information about cardiac chamber sizes and function, though with lower temporal resolution than other modalities.

Usage

Usage note: Often used interchangeably with CCTA (coronary computed tomography angiography) in clinical practice.

In Context

"Cardiac CTA revealed moderate stenosis in the proximal LAD with mixed plaque composition." — non-invasive coronary assessment
"The patient underwent cardiac CTA for evaluation of chest pain with intermediate pretest probability." — clinical indication

Also known as

coronary CTA cardiac computed tomography angiography

Contrasted with

invasive angiography

Don't confuse with

CCTA cardiac MRA coronary angiography

cardiac catheterization ← Back to glossary cardiac cycle length