monash cardiac computed tomography (ct) · 2019-05-01 · invasive angiography if significant...

A Guide For Patients

MonashHeart, Health

is committed to providing

outstanding cardiac services

for cardiac patients of all ages

♥ Every 10 minutes, an Australian dies from cardiovascular disease making it the biggest killer of all Australians

♥ MonashHeart treats more acute heart attack patients than anywhere else in Victoria

♥ Each year MonashHeart treats over 5700 patients with acute heart problems, the most in Victoria

♥ MonashHeart operates one of the busiest cardiac CT scanners in the world

♥ MonashHeart is the only cardiac service in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania to treat heart patients of all ages; from pre birth to our senior citizens

♥ MonashHeart is an internationally and nationally recognised leader in cardiovascular research

Fundraising Manager

Locked Bag 29Clayton South 3169

Please use this space to write down any questions you may have:

MonashHeartwww.monashheart.org.au

Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT)

Monash

Monash Health

What is Cardiac CT?

Cardiac CT refers to images obtained of your heart and coronary arteries using a computed tomography (CT) scanner.

The CT scanner is able to obtain similar information as an invasive coronary angiography (coronary angiogram) without the need for admission to hospital or catheters inserted through your groin or arm into the coronary arteries. The most common reason why you would need a cardiac CT is to investigate chest pain. This scan may eliminate the need for you to have an invasive angiogram. However you may still need invasive angiography if significant blockages are found on CT. MonashHeart’s 320-slice cardiac CT scanner is ultra fast and is one of the most advanced and latest scanners on offer in the world. The machine works by taking multiple pictures of the heart and the coronary arteries. The patient lays flat on the scanner table then the machine rotates around the patient. By doing this, the machine is able to generate a three-dimensional (3D) picture of your heart. The patient lies on the scanner table for between five and 10 minutes. The images are obtained in less than one second and the scan is completely painless. At no time is the patient confined to a small space, nor do they have to enter into an imaging tunnel. The entire scan is taken in a light and open room.

These amazing scanner images allow us to see the heart, coronary arteries and chest in a 3D and colour format.

What is the difference between Cardiac CT and Conventional Angiography?

Cardiac CT is non-invasive whereas conventional angiography is an invasive procedure. Conventional angiography requires an arterial sheath or tube to be inserted into an artery in the groin or arm to allow access for a catheter to be passed into the heart. This is so the contrast can be injected straight into the arteries. Conventional angiograms can take up to half an hour or more and the patient is required to lie in bed for 4 hours post procedure once the tube from the groin is removed. Because conventional angiography is invasive, more risks are involved. Cardiac CT may avoid the need for you to have a conventional angiogram. Cardiac CT is quicker, safer and reduces the need for sedation.

What is Coronary Angioplasty?

Results from cardiac CT scans may reveal that angioplasty is required. This is when blocked or diseased heart arteries are repaired using small balloons and stents (metal tubes) that re-open the arteries and restore blood flow to the heart muscle. This procedure can take up to an hour, and then patients are often monitored in a cardiac care unit overnight and discharged the following morning. If significant blockages in your arteries are detected by cardiac CT, you may need conventional angiography and/or angioplasty to confirm and treat these.

I support MonashHeart, Health in providing leading care to cardiac patients of all ages.

(Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible ABN 82 142 080 338)

♥ I enclose a cheque/money order made payable to MonashHeart, Health for: $ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

♥ Please debit my credit/debit card for: $ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VISA Mastercard AMEX Diners

Card Nos:

Expiry: /

Cardholders Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cardholders Signature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Receipt sent to:

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Postcode: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is your donation a gift in memory? Yes No

In memory of: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acknowledgement should be sent to next of kin:

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I give MonashHeart the option of publishing my name in recognition of my support

Here’s how to make your gift:Call: 1300 MHEART Fax: 03 9594 6030Post: complete and return this coupon to: Fundraising, MonashHeart, Health, Locked Bag 29, Clayton South 3169

Thank you for supporting MonashHeart

Monash

Monash

Monash

Why do I need a Cardiac CT?

Cardiac CT scans are generally performed for the following reasons:

♥ investigation of chest pain♥ assessment of patency of bypass grafts in patients who have had open heart bypass surgery♥ to rule out coronary disease as a reason for poor heart function♥ for patients awaiting ablation procedures for atrial fi brillation (to help the electrophysiologist plan the procedure)♥ to assess patients with congenital heart disease♥ to assess children with complex cardiac disease

This cardiac CT scan is available to any patient who meets MonashHeart’s criteria. Ask your GP or cardiologist today if you can have this test rather than other more invasive tests for your condition.

What can I expect beforea Cardiac CT?You will receive a blood request slip with your appointment letter to have your renal/kidney function and cholesterol levels checked. If you have had a blood test measuring your kidney function within the last four weeks, please ignore this request. If you have not had your kidney function checked within the last four weeks, please take this blood slip to any pathology service to have the blood test taken at least three days before your heart scan. Please note these are fasting bloods so do not have anything to eat or drink for six hours prior to this blood test.

You are not allowed to drive home after the scan so please ensure someone can pick you up from MonashHeart after your scan. Please ask for a medical certifi cate if required.

You will receive an appointment letter and health questionnaire on the booking of your scan. The health questionnaire will ask you to identify any potential or known health problems including if you may have any medical conditions that may increase your risk of kidney damage when receiving “contrast”.

Your CT scan may involve the use of “contrast” or iodine containing contrast media, a liquid chemical used to highlight the heart, organs, blood vessels and tissues. Contrast makes normal and abnormal structures more visible and therefore improves the ability of the reporting specialist doctors to make a correct and accurate diagnosis of the absence or presence of any disease processes such as coronary artery or congenital heart disease.

We ask that you complete the health questionnaire as soon as possible and return to MonashHeart Clayton in the reply paid envelope, or bring it with you on the day.

You are not allowed to drive home after the scan so please ensure someone can pick you up from MonashHeart after your scan. Please ask for a medical certificate if required.

Why do I need a Cardiac CT?

Cardiac CT scans are generally performed for the following reasons:

♥ investigation of chest pain♥ assessment of patency of bypass grafts in patients who have had open heart bypass surgery♥ to rule out coronary disease as a reason for poor heart function♥ for patients awaiting ablation procedures for atrial fi brillation (to help the electrophysiologist plan the procedure)♥ to assess patients with congenital heart disease♥ to assess children with complex cardiac disease

This cardiac CT scan is available to any patient who meets MonashHeart’s criteria. Ask your GP or cardiologist today if you can have this test rather than other more invasive tests for your condition.

What can I expect beforea Cardiac CT?You will receive a blood request slip with your appointment letter to have your renal/kidney function and cholesterol levels checked. If you have had a blood test measuring your kidney function within the last four weeks, please ignore this request. If you have not had your kidney function checked within the last four weeks, please take this blood slip to any pathology service to have the blood test taken at least three days before your heart scan. Please note these are fasting bloods so do not have anything to eat or drink for six hours prior to this blood test.

You are not allowed to drive home after the scan so please ensure someone can pick you up from MonashHeart after your scan. Please ask for a medical certifi cate if required.

On arrival

Be sure to allow plenty of time for parking. Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.

You will be taken into the cardiac CT preparation area to have your heart rate assessed. You may be given a beta blocker medication (tablet) if the cardiologist feels this is necessary before your scan.

Adults:During the scan, relatives can not stay with you but may either wait in our waiting room or the hospital café. Please bring only one person with you on the day as there is no room for more than one relative.

Children:During the scan, one parent may stay with the child. Other accompanying adults may either wait in our waiting room or in the hospital café. Please do not bring other children with you or more than two accompanying adults as there is no room for additional people.

Please ensure the following preparation before your scan:

♥ No caffeine (tea, coffee, cola, chocolate, milo, sports drinks or energy drinks) for 24 hours before the scan♥ Fast from solids for two hours before the scan, only sips of water may be consumed up to the time of the scan♥ No smoking or alcohol♥ No physical exertion on the day of the scan♥ No Metformin (a particular type of diabetes medication) on the day of scan and for 48 hours after scan

A beta blocker works to slow down your heart rate to about 60 beats per minute. This may also be useful if you are nervous and work to relax your heart so that the doctors can take a more accurate image. This of course is not necessary for all patients. You may discuss the use of a beta blocker with your GP prior to your test, but this is likely to be a decision made on the day.

The nurse will ask you to change into a hospital gown and ask that you remove your upper body clothing. Women must remove their bra but can leave a singlet/camisole on. Your weight and height will then be checked.

An intravenous drip cannula will be inserted into your right arm. This is similar to a blood test and is inserted so that the contrast (the dye that allows the blood to be seen in the scan’s images) can be administered.

You will be asked a series of questions to ensure you are fully informed regarding the cardiac CT scan and to ensure you do not suffer iodine allergy. will be asked to sign a

Your heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored up to the time of your scan.

You will walk from the preparation chair into the CT scanner room and will be asked to lie on to the scanner table.

In the scanner

The room that you will have your scan in is light and open (see image over of our cardiac CT room).

You will then be asked to lie on your back on the moveable table. Once you are on the table, the CT technician will tell you how to hold your breath so that the scanner can take the image. You must hold your breath for about 10 seconds so you are as still as possible when the image is taken.

The CT technician will connect the contrast infusion to the intravenous drip in your arm.

Once this is established, the team will go to the viewing room and talk to you through the speakers. Next, the scanner table will move forward so that the machine can rotate around you as you hold your breath. And that’s it. The scanner table then slides backwards and you can walk back to our recovery area.

you how to hold your breath so that the scanner can take the image. You must hold your breath for about 10 seconds so you are as still as possible when the image is taken.


Once this is established, the team will go to the viewing room

A beta blocker works to slow down your heart rate to about 60 beats per minute. This may also be useful if you are nervous and work to relax your heart so that the doctors can take a more accurate image. This of course is not necessary for all patients. You may discuss the use of a beta blocker with your GP prior to your test, but this is likely to be a decision made on the day.

The nurse will ask you to change into a hospital gown and ask that you remove your upper body clothing. Women must remove their bra but can leave a singlet/camisole on. Your weight and height will then be checked.

An intravenous drip cannula will be inserted into your right arm. This is similar to a blood test and is inserted so that the contrast (the dye that allows the blood to be seen in the scan’s images) can be administered.

You will be asked a series of questions to ensure you are fully informed regarding the cardiac CT scan and to ensure you do not suffer iodine allergy.

Your heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored up to

You will walk from the preparation chair into the CT scanner room and will be asked to lie on to the scanner table.

The room that you will have your scan in is light and open (see image over of our cardiac CT room).

You will then be asked to lie on your back on the moveable table. Once you are on the table, the CT technician will tell you how to hold your breath so that the scanner can take the image. You must hold your breath for about 10 seconds so you are as still as possible when the image is taken.


Once this is established, the team will go to the viewing room and talk to you through the speakers. Next, the scanner table will move forward so that the machine can rotate around you as you hold your breath. And that’s it. The scanner table then slides backwards and you can walk back to our recovery area.

What Are The Risks Involved?

♥ In rare cases, some patients may experience an allergic reaction to the contrast. In these cases, medications are given to reverse the reaction and further monitoring and observations may be required before you are discharged.

♥ Occasionally, some people feel dizzy with the beta blocker medication and may require intravenous fl uids and medications to correct a low blood pressure or low heart rate.

♥ There is a small dose of radiation involved in cardiac CT, but the amount is generally smaller than a stress thallium study which is often ordered by doctors investigating chest pain. The MonashHeart state-of-the-art scanner is able to use a much smaller dose of radiation than most other scanners available and we make every effort to minimize this even further for you.

♥ You can not have a cardiac CT scan if you are pregnant. Even though the risk to a foetus would be small, is not recommended to have a cardiac CT unless deemed medically urgent by your doctor.

What is Cardiac CT?

Cardiac CT refers to images obtained of your heart and coronary arteries using a computed tomography (CT) scanner.

The CT scanner is able to obtain similar information as an invasive coronary angiography (coronary angiogram) without the need for admission to hospital or catheters inserted through your groin or arm into the coronary arteries. The most common reason why you would need a cardiac CT is to investigate chest pain. This scan may eliminate the need for you to have an invasive angiogram. However you may still need invasive angiography if significant blockages are found on CT. MonashHeart’s 320-slice cardiac CT scanner is ultra fast and is one of the most advanced and latest scanners on offer in the world. The machine works by taking multiple pictures of the heart and the coronary arteries. The patient lays flat on the scanner table then the machine rotates around the patient. By doing this, the machine is able to generate a three-dimensional (3D) picture of your heart. The patient lies on the scanner table for between five and 10 minutes. The images are obtained in less than one second and the scan is completely painless. At no time is the patient confined to a small space, nor do they have to enter into an imaging tunnel. The entire scan is taken in a light and open room.

These amazing scanner images allow us to see the heart, coronary arteries and chest in a 3D and colour format.

What is the difference between Cardiac CT and Conventional Angiography?

Cardiac CT is non-invasive whereas conventional angiography is an invasive procedure. Conventional angiography requires an arterial sheath or tube to be inserted into an artery in the groin or arm to allow access for a catheter to be passed into the heart. This is so the contrast can be injected straight into the arteries. Conventional angiograms can take up to half an hour or more and the patient is required to lie in bed for 4 hours post procedure once the tube from the groin is removed. Because conventional angiography is invasive, more risks are involved. Cardiac CT may avoid the need for you to have a conventional angiogram. Cardiac CT is quicker, safer and reduces the need for sedation.

What is Coronary Angioplasty?

Results from cardiac CT scans may reveal that angioplasty is required. This is when blocked or diseased heart arteries are repaired using small balloons and stents (metal tubes) that re-open the arteries and restore blood flow to the heart muscle. This procedure can take up to an hour, and then patients are often monitored in a cardiac care unit overnight and discharged the following morning. If significant blockages in your arteries are detected by cardiac CT, you may need conventional angiography and/or angioplasty to confirm and treat these.

I support MonashHeart, Health in providing leading care to cardiac patients of all ages.

(Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible ABN 82 142 080 338)

♥ I enclose a cheque/money order made payable to MonashHeart, Health for: $ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

♥ Please debit my credit/debit card for: $ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VISA Mastercard AMEX Diners

Card Nos:

Expiry: /

Cardholders Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cardholders Signature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Receipt sent to:

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Postcode: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Is your donation a gift in memory? Yes No

In memory of: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acknowledgement should be sent to next of kin:

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I give MonashHeart the option of publishing my name in recognition of my support

Here’s how to make your gift:Call: 1300 MHEART Fax: 03 9594 6030Post: complete and return this coupon to: Fundraising, MonashHeart, Health, Locked Bag 29, Clayton South 3169

Thank you for supporting MonashHeart

Monash

Monash

Monash

A Guide For Patients

MonashHeart, Health

is committed to providing

outstanding cardiac services

for cardiac patients of all ages

♥ Every 10 minutes, an Australian dies from cardiovascular disease making it the biggest killer of all Australians

♥ MonashHeart treats more acute heart attack patients than anywhere else in Victoria

♥ Each year MonashHeart treats over 5700 patients with acute heart problems, the most in Victoria

♥ MonashHeart operates one of the busiest cardiac CT scanners in the world

♥ MonashHeart is the only cardiac service in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania to treat heart patients of all ages; from pre birth to our senior citizens

♥ MonashHeart is an internationally and nationally recognised leader in cardiovascular research

Fundraising Manager

Locked Bag 29Clayton South 3169

Please use this space to write down any questions you may have:

MonashHeartwww.monashheart.org.au

Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT)

Monash

Monash Health

monash cardiac computed tomography (ct) · 2019-05-01 · invasive angiography if significant...

Documents