Valley offers the latest cardiac CT imaging to assess your heart health. This noninvasive test can detect and evaluate heart conditions like coronary artery disease (CAD), aortic disease and more.
Our cardiac imaging team also specializes in incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning with cardiac CT. This allows us to get the most accurate information about your heart health through noninvasive imaging.
Using advanced CT imaging capabilities, Valley is a leader in detecting coronary artery disease in its earliest stages. Our cardiac CT technologies can also accurately evaluate the severity of coronary artery disease to guide your treatment plan.
What is a Cardiac CT?
A cardiac CT uses X-rays to capture 3D images of your heart and blood vessels.
At Valley, we use cardiac CT to diagnose and evaluate:
- Aorta problems
- Aortic valve
- Blood clots
- Calcium buildup
- Coronary artery disease
- Coronary plaque buildup and phenotyping
- Heart tumors
- Pulmonary veins
- Structural heart defects
We also use cardiac CT to plan heart surgeries and interventional procedures. This could include open heart surgery, ablation procedures for AFib, heart valve repairs or replacements and more.
Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring
Cardiac CT for calcium scoring measures the amount of calcium deposits in your coronary arteries.
This helps us diagnose coronary artery disease. This test helps determine your risk for future heart attacks. Early detection and treatment may prevent future heart attacks.
Here’s what you can expect during your calcium-scoring CT:
- You will lie on a table that moves inside a scanner shaped like a donut.
- Your technician will ask you to be still and hold your breath briefly at times during the test.
- The test takes about 30 minutes.
CT Coronary Angiogram
A CT coronary angiogram is a noninvasive test that allows us to visualize coronary arteries. This test looks for narrow or blocked coronary arteries.
Here’s what you can expect during your CT coronary angiogram:
- Your nurse will check your heart rate and may give you medications to control it during the test.
- Your technician will give you a contrast dye through an IV. This dye makes the blood vessels show up better during scanning.
- You will lie on a table that moves inside a scanner shaped like a donut.
- Your technician will ask you to be still and hold your breath briefly at times during the test.
- A CT coronary angiogram can take around two to four hours.
Advanced CT Coronary Angiogram Technologies
Valley incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning with CT coronary angiograms.
These advanced technologies allow us to accurately diagnose and stage coronary artery disease and predict your heart attack risk. It also allows us to accurately plan surgical and interventional procedures.
- Cleerly Coronary: This technology combines machine learning and CT angiography to assess your risk for a heart attack.
- HeartFlow Analysis: This technology uses artificial intelligence and your CT coronary angiogram to diagnose coronary artery disease and evaluate blockages. This helps us determine the severity of your disease. And your care team can then use that information to determine the best treatment options for you.
Why Choose Valley for Your Cardiac CT?
- Modern, effective tests: We use cardiac CT equipment and technologies that use less radiation and contrast dye. That means that you can feel confident that you are getting the highest quality images in the most innovative way possible.
- Award-winning imaging: Valley’s cardiovascular imaging program consistently received the CT Quality Award from HeartFlow. Recipients of the quarterly award are generally in the top 25 percent of global medical centers providing patients with a better pathway for identifying and understanding their heart health by utilizing coronary CT and HeartFlow® Analysis.
- Pioneers and innovators: Valley’s cardiac imaging specialists are national and international leaders in bringing forward new technologies in cardiac CT. Valley is among the first in the region to adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning for CT coronary angiograms. This has helped us continue to improve our diagnostic capabilities — and personalize your care.
- Comprehensive heart care: We incorporate cardiac imaging, like cardiac CT, into all aspects of your heart care — from diagnosis through treatment. This ensures that you are receiving the most precise and personalized care — all based on your distinct imaging results.
