CARDIAC CT

Early diagnosis of coronary artery constriction and calcification using state-of-the-art CT diagnostics – an alternative to a cardiac catheter

Gentle and fast: cardiac CT

A heart attack is one of the most common causes of death in Germany – over 300,000 people suffer a heart attack each year. It is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is interrupted due to a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries (coronary artery disease, CHD), which can lead to damage to the heart muscle tissue. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and a positive family history. Warning symptoms are often chest pain or shortness of breath, but other symptoms can also occur.

Thanks to early diagnosis, primarily through cardiac CT, but also through innovative treatment options, the chances of recovery, quality of life, and thus life expectancy of those affected have improved significantly in recent decades.

How does a cardiac CT work?

During the examination, you lie comfortably on your back. To improve image quality, the heart rate may be lowered by beta-blockers and nitro spray is administered to dilate the vessels.

First, calcifications of the coronary arteries are visualized with a coronary calcification CT without contrast agent and an individual risk of CHD is estimated from this.

Subsequently, iodine-containing contrast agent is injected via a vein in the arm and a CT angiography is performed to accurately visualize the coronary arteries, which takes only a few seconds.

Result and evaluation

The result is available after a few minutes and is evaluated by a doctor. Since some patients feel dizziness or a slight headache after administering vasodilator medication necessary for the examination, it may be that it may no longer be possible to drive motor vehicles. Please take this into account when arriving.
 

CT of the latest generation at our practice in the city center of Munich.

Information regarding this examination

24 hours before the examination, the following should be avoided so that you have the slowest possible heartbeat:

  • Caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks)
  • Bananas
  • Chocolate
  • Nicotine (smoking)
  • You do not have to be fasting on the day of the examination.

Take your medication as usual. 5 days before the examination, potency-enhancing drugs, such as Viagra, must be avoided. Even if you are taking medication due to prostate disease or increased intraocular pressure, you should let us know before the examination.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us – further general information about the heart CT examination can be found here.

In these cases, a cardiac CT must be dispensed with:

  • Contraindication for the administration of an iodine-containing contrast agent, e.g. iodine allergy
  • In rare cases, a decision must be made against CT angiography in the case of a particularly fast heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia. If you suffer from a cardiac arrhythmia, please let us know in advance.

CT coronary angiography (cardiac CT) to rule out chronic coronary heart disease (CHD, narrowing of the coronary arteries) has recently become a benefit of statutory health insurance under certain conditions and we are now offering it in our practice network.

In order to be able to guarantee an optimal process, we have compiled some important information below.

Cardiac CT is a benefit of the statutory health insurance for two reasons:

  1. There is a low to medium suspicion of cCHD with a so-called pre-test probability (VTW) of 15-50%. The determination of the VTW must be made by the referring physician and must be noted on the referral form. The VTW can be carried out, for example, using the Marburg Heart Score or Discharge Calculator (see Nationale Versorgungsleitlinie chronische koronare Herzerkrankung Page 25). 
     
  2. To rule out CHD in the case of planned heart surgery or intervention that does not affect the coronary arteries (e.g. valve surgery).
     

For all other reasons (e.g. suspicion of coronary anomaly, stent control, etc.), the examination cannot be provided at the expense of the statutory health insurance. In this case, cardiac CT remains a self-pay service. Exceptions are some selective contracts with certain health insurance companies. Please check with your insurance.

Cardiac MRI examinations are still not a service of the GKV. Exceptions here are some selective contracts with certain health insurance companies. Please check with your insurance.

  • Your medication plan
  • Previous cardiological findings
  • Current kidney and thyroid values (blood test)

We hope this information helps you. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.