Coronary CT angiography can show plaque and narrowing in the arteries that supply the heart. When the examination is appropriate, the findings help the clinician make cardiovascular prevention more specific to your situation.
Listed at Prague. The exact scope, preparation, clinician and price are confirmed with the team before booking.
At a glance
Scope and price are confirmed with the team before booking. Where a published price exists for your clinic, it is shown on the programme or clinic page.
The exact test or procedure, preparation, clinician and price are agreed for your location before booking.
In detail
Atherosclerotic plaque builds up within the artery wall. The amount and composition of plaque and the degree of narrowing describe different aspects of the finding. A vessel can contain plaque without a severe narrowing. In HLC care, this information is considered with cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, symptoms and family history.
CT angiography uses X-rays and an intravenous iodine-containing contrast agent to image the coronary arteries. An additional quantitative analysis, when ordered, can organize the findings by artery and describe plaque volume, calcified and non-calcified components, and narrowing. The radiological interpretation remains essential.
This is different from a coronary calcium score, which is a non-contrast CT measure of calcified plaque. Neither test predicts with certainty whether or when an individual will have a heart attack. The clinician chooses the examination that best answers the clinical question.
The team reviews kidney function, contrast reactions, medicines, possible pregnancy and heart rhythm. Heart-rate control or other preparation may be needed. During scanning you lie on the CT table, receive contrast through a vein and follow short breath-hold instructions. Follow the imaging centre’s preparation rather than changing medicines yourself.
The useful output is a clinical decision: whether prevention needs to be strengthened, a symptom requires further investigation or an existing plan should continue. The care team explains which findings are actionable, who will follow them and whether another test is needed. A routine scan is not the right route for sudden chest pain or other urgent symptoms.
Illustrative example
An illustrative example created to explain the report or care plan. Values and findings are fictional, are not personal results and are not treatment targets. Your report depends on the agreed service.
Illustrative example — fictional values, not a personal result, not a clinical target and not a normal range.
| Vessel | Wall finding | Estimated narrowing |
|---|---|---|
| Anterior descending artery | Mixed plaque | 20–30% |
| Circumflex artery | Small calcified plaque | 10–20% |
| Right coronary artery | No plaque identified in this example | None identified |
| Measure | Illustrative value | What it would indicate |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Artery and segment | The report identifies where a finding is seen. |
| Plaque characteristics | Volume and calcified/non-calcified components | Plaque burden and composition describe the wall finding. |
| Narrowing | Luminal narrowing and image quality | Anatomical narrowing is interpreted with symptoms and any evidence about blood flow. |
Questions people ask
Related services
Blood measurements selected around your health questions, existing results and planned assessment.
Structured blood-pressure measurement interpreted with your clinical context.
Measurement of selected vascular-function parameters interpreted with cardiovascular history and other findings.
Listed at Prague. The exact scope, preparation, clinician and price are confirmed with the team before booking. Your choice of service and clinic is carried through to the next step.
