Basic overview

• This test uses a CT machine to image the heart arteries

Indications for the test

• Assessment for coronary artery disease or coronary artery anomalies

What to expect

• You should be given a pre-medication to slow your heart rate (usually metoprolol or ivabradine), as a heart rate of <60 bpm is required for good quality images and to reduce radiation. This is usually given the evening prior and the morning of the test.
• On the day, a cannula will be inserted into your arm vein and an iodine-based contrast agent will be infused quickly, allowing the arteries to ‘show-up’ brightly on the CT scan