CT Angiogram (CTA): Cardiac CT, Calcium Scores & Cost

A CT angiogram - often written as CTA or "CTA angio" - is a CT scan timed with an injection of contrast dye so the blood vessels light up. It shows narrowings, blockages, aneurysms, and clots inside arteries without the surgical catheter of a traditional angiogram.

Common types include:

• Cardiac CTA / CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) - the arteries supplying the heart • CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) - the lung arteries, usually to rule out a blood clot • Carotid, aortic, and limb CTAs - neck, chest/abdominal aorta, and leg arteries

The scan itself feels like a normal CT: a quick pass through an open ring scanner, plus a brief warm flush when the contrast dye goes in.

Both are "cardiac CT", but they answer different questions:

• Coronary artery calcium score - a quick, low-dose CT with no contrast dye. It counts calcified plaque in the artery walls and produces a risk score, often used to guide decisions about cholesterol treatment. • CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) - a detailed contrast scan that shows the inside of the coronary arteries, including narrowings from both calcified and soft plaque. Your heart rate may be slowed with medication beforehand to sharpen the images.

Think of the calcium score as a risk estimate and the CTCA as an actual look at the arteries. Your GP or cardiologist will choose based on your symptoms and risk profile - see our broader heart imaging guide for how these fit alongside echocardiograms and stress tests.

Preparation matters more than for a routine CT:

• Fasting - usually a few hours before, since contrast dye is used • Skip caffeine for 12-24 hours before a cardiac CTA - coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some medications raise your heart rate • Heart-rate medication - for CTCA, the clinic may give you a beta-blocker before the scan so the images are sharp • Kidney check - you may need a recent blood test, since contrast is processed by the kidneys • Tell the clinic about allergies (especially iodine or previous contrast reactions), diabetes medications, and any chance of pregnancy

The clinic confirms your exact instructions when they accept the booking - follow theirs over any general guide.

Allow 30-60 minutes at the clinic, though scanning itself is quick:

1. A small cannula goes into a vein in your arm for the contrast dye. 2. For cardiac CTA, ECG leads are attached so the scanner can time images between heartbeats, and you may wait briefly for heart-rate medication to work. 3. You lie on the CT table and hold your breath for short runs while the scanner passes over you. 4. When the contrast injects, a warm flush and metallic taste for a few seconds is completely normal.

Afterwards you can usually go straight home - just drink extra water to help clear the contrast.

It depends heavily on which scan and who referred you:

• Calcium score CT - often not Medicare-rebated, commonly around $100-$250 out of pocket • CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) - attracts a Medicare rebate in certain circumstances, and the criteria often involve specialist input; out-of-pocket varies from bulk billed to a few hundred dollars • Other CTAs (CTPA, carotid, aortic) - broadly follow normal CT Medicare coverage with a valid referral

Because coverage rules are scan-specific, the only reliable figure is the clinic's quote for your referral. Compare CT clinics near you on Radly and confirm the expected cost when the clinic accepts your request.

Yes - like all CT scans in Australia, a CTA needs a referral from a GP or specialist, and cardiac CTAs in particular are often arranged through (or in consultation with) a cardiologist, which can also affect Medicare eligibility.

Your referral works at any clinic that offers the scan - not just the provider printed on the form - and not every clinic performs cardiac CTA, so it's worth checking before you book. Search CT clinics on Radly, then confirm the clinic performs your specific study when they reply to your booking request.