CT Angiography in Newport Beach, Orange County

Prior to 64-slice computed tomography, CT angiography studies did not produce images with the same level of quality. The main problem is that unlike other parts of the body, the heart is in constant motion. The coronary arteries are very small, and this small size combined with the motion of the heart made it difficult to evaluate the coronary arteries. With new generation 64-slice computed tomography, images of the entire heart are rapidly created.

64-slice CT angiograms are less invasive than traditional catheter-based angiograms. A catheter based angiogram uses a catheter to inject dye into a large artery or vein, and the heart is then visualized by x-ray technology. Catheter angiograms provide better resolution than CT angiograms, though they are more invasive and prone to complications.

CT angiograms can be used to evaluate areas of individual coronary arteries where the accumulation of plaque has led to narrowing of the artery. CT angiography can evaluate narrowings due to calcified plaque, as well as soft plaques that do not have calcium and are frequently the cause of sudden heart attacks.  The main drawback to CT angiography is difficulty in the evaluation of arteries when there is severe calcification.  In these cases, fluoroscopic angiography (performed by a cardiologist) is required.  This study is performed in a cath lab by a cardiologist, and provides the gold standard in evaluation of narrowing of the coronary arteries.

For more information on CT angiography, please visit:

• CT-Angiogram Patient Information
• American College of Radiology - CT Angiography
• Medline Plus - Computed Tomography Information