A cardiac electron-beam CT scan, sometimes called ultra-fast CT or EBCT, is a computer-assisted X-ray scan of the heart. It can be used to check for coronary artery disease.
CT can also check the heart in other ways, including looking at heart valves and the size and function of the lower chambers of the heart (right and left ventricles). CT can help healthcare providers check nearby blood vessels, such as the aorta, which carries blood from the heart.
The full medical term for CT is computed tomography.
This scan may be done to:
No special preparation is needed.
Scanning usually lasts 20 to 90 minutes and is painless. During a CT scan, you lie still on a table. The table slides into the CT unit, which is like a small tunnel. It is important not to move during the scan. The best CT scans are obtained if you hold your breath while you are being scanned. If this is not possible, you will be asked to breathe quietly and regularly. The scanner moves around the table and may make noises. You can talk to the technologist at any time during the procedure.
Ask your healthcare provider when you will get the results of the scan.
Information from the scan can help your healthcare provider check your risk for heart disease and get a close look at your heart and arteries to check for problems. Results from the scan may help your provider determine how best to manage risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol.
Because the procedure is noninvasive, which means that it does not involve any cuts or needles, it has fewer risks than a coronary angiogram.
This scan may not always help diagnose early-stage heart disease. You may need other tests. The scan can be expensive and is not usually covered by insurance or Medicare. In addition these tests expose you to radiation from the X-rays.
Your provider will review the results and let you know what the pictures show. Call your provider during office hours if:
