Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center offers Snap Shot Pulse Low Dose Cardiac Imaging as part of coronary CT angiography (CCTA).
CCTA is a new, faster way to diagnose the early stages of heart disease. The Snap Shot feature greatly reduces radiation exposure by as much as 70 percent compared to other techniques.
How does CCTA work?
Using non-invasive CT scan technology, CCTA takes a 3D picture of a beating heart in about five seconds. The digital pictures give doctors excellent image quality. They can quickly evaluate the heart and coronary arteries for plaque, a blockage or heart disease.
In the past, cardiac catheterization was the only method to diagnose clogged arteries. With cardiac catheterization, an X-ray guided thin tube or catheter is inserted through an artery and advanced into the area of the heart that needs to be examined.
Should I have CCTA?
CCTA helps doctors determine which patients need medical follow-up and/or surgery. It is appropriate for people who have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease or those who experience chest pain or shortness of breath. Risk factors can include obesity, a family history of heart disease, and high blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
CCTA requires a doctor’s prescription and may not be covered by insurance. Talk to your doctor to learn more about CCTA.
To find a physician, please call 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272)
Sentara.com