CT Coronary Angiography (CCTA)

Non-invasive CT coronary angiography on a 128-slice Siemens Somatom goTop to visualise coronary artery lumen and detect stenoses — an alternative to invasive catheter angiography. Self-pay approximately €449.

CT coronary angiography (CCTA) at MVZ Radiologie-Netzwerk NRW Düsseldorf uses intravenous iodinated contrast to opacify the coronary arteries during a high-speed, ECG-gated acquisition on the Siemens Somatom goTop (128 slices, rotation 0.33 s). The rapid rotation time minimises cardiac motion artefact even in patients with heart rates up to 65–70 bpm without medication; for higher rates, a brief-acting beta-blocker may be given after contraindication screening. CCTA allows the radiologist to trace each coronary artery from its origin to its distal branches, detecting luminal narrowing, non-calcified (soft) plaque, mixed plaque, and calcified stenoses. The ESC guidelines for stable chest pain position CCTA as the first-line diagnostic test in low-to-intermediate pre-test probability patients. CCTA has a very high negative predictive value — a normal result effectively rules out significant coronary artery disease, avoiding invasive catheterisation. Preparation: light fasting four to six hours prior, avoidance of caffeine for 12 hours, medication review, creatinine check if renal function uncertain. The study is a self-pay service; statutory insurers do not routinely cover it, but private insurers often reimburse with clinical justification.