Cardiac CT Angiography
Cardiac CT Angiography, also known as CT Coronary Angiogram, is an advanced imaging scan that uses high-speed CT and contrast dye to create detailed 3D pictures of your heart and blood vessels.
CT coronary angiography provides a non-invasive, high-resolution view of the heart’s arteries
See Inside Your Heart — Without Surgery
How Cardiac CT Angiography (CTA) and CT-FFR Are Changing Heart Care in Singapore
When Mr. Tan walked into my clinic, he looked anxious. At 52, he had been feeling chest tightness whenever he climbed stairs. His father had suffered a heart attack at 60, and he feared history might repeat itself.
Instead of jumping straight to an invasive angiogram, I recommended Cardiac CT Angiography (CTA) — a non-invasive scan that could give us a clear view of his heart arteries in minutes.
The result? Within the same day, we had crystal-clear 3D images of his coronary arteries. We also used CT-derived Fractional Flow Reserve (CT-FFR), an advanced tool that showed us which narrowing actually restricted blood flow — without putting a single catheter into his heart.
By combining Cardiac CTA with CT-FFR, we discovered only one blockage was truly significant and treated it safely, avoiding unnecessary stents elsewhere.
This is modern heart care: precise diagnosis, targeted treatment, and peace of mind — all without surgery.
What Is Cardiac CT Angiography (CTA)?
Cardiac CTA, also known as Coronary CTA, is an advanced imaging scan that uses high-speed CT and contrast dye to create detailed 3D pictures of your heart and blood vessels.
Unlike traditional angiograms, which involve threading a catheter through your arteries, CTA is simple, safe, and painless — requiring only an IV drip.
Why CT-FFR Is a Game-Changer
A narrowing seen on CTA doesn’t always mean it needs a stent. CT-FFR (CT Fractional Flow Reserve) uses powerful computational modeling to analyze how much blood flow is reduced by each narrowing.
- Non-invasive functional testing: No wires, no cath lab, no hospital stay.
- Smarter decisions: Distinguish between blockages that need stenting vs. those managed with medication.
- Fewer unnecessary procedures: More personalized care, less risk, better outcomes.
CTA combined with CT-FFR means you don’t just see your arteries — you understand how well they work.
Why I Recommend Cardiac CTA & CT-FFR
Cardiac CTA is my preferred tool for patients because it helps to:
- Detect coronary artery disease early (before symptoms worsen)
- Identify soft plaque that calcium scoring alone misses
- Investigate chest pain or breathlessness without invasive testing
- Plan safe interventions like stents or bypass surgery
- Track progress after heart treatment
- Use CT-FFR for precision: Treat only what’s truly significant
Why Patients Prefer This Scan
✅ No Surgery or Catheters — Just a quick IV line
✅ Crystal-Clear 3D Images — Visualize both early and advanced plaques ✅ Fast and Painless — Scan time is under a minute, total visit 1–3 hours
✅ Better Treatment Decisions — CT-FFR ensures we only treat what matters
✅ Peace of Mind — Walk away knowing exactly what’s happening inside your heart
Who Should Consider Cardiac CTA?
You may benefit from this scan if you:
- Experience chest pain, tightness, or shortness of breath
- Have risk factors like diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol, or family history
- Got an abnormal ECG or stress test result
- Want to avoid invasive procedures unless absolutely necessary
Cardiac CTA vs. Coronary Calcium Score
While a calcium score is great for screening, it only detects hardened plaque. Cardiac CTA shows all types of plaque (including soft, rupture-prone plaques) and, when paired with CT-FFR, tells us if these blockages are truly affecting your heart.
What to Expect: A Simple, Same-Day Experience
Before:
- Fast for 4 hours
- Avoid caffeine and certain medications
- Arrive early for preparation and heart rate control
During:
- A quick IV contrast injection
- Painless scan lasting less than 1 minute
After:
- Resume normal activities right away
- Stay hydrated to flush the dye
Your Heart Deserves Clarity
Heart symptoms can be worrying — but the right test can change everything. Cardiac CTA with CT-FFR gives you answers without surgery, guiding truly personalized treatment.