CT Angiography

Contrast-enhanced CT imaging of the coronary arteries and vascular system at Radiologicum Margareten. Covers coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for direct lumen assessment, CT angiography of the aorta with 3D reconstruction, and imaging of carotid and peripheral vessels. ECG-gated acquisition with specialist cardiovascular radiologist reporting.

CT angiography at Radiologicum Margareten encompasses contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the coronary arteries, the aorta, and the peripheral vascular system. The cardiovascular imaging programme is supervised by Priv.-Doz. Dr. Markus Reiter, with a clinical focus on non-invasive assessment of patients with suspected or established cardiovascular disease. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is the most detailed cardiac CT investigation available at Radiologicum. Iodinated contrast agent is injected intravenously and timed to opacify the coronary lumen during image acquisition. ECG gating synchronises the CT acquisition with the cardiac cycle to capture sharp, motion-free images of the left main, left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary arteries. The examination is capable of detecting both calcified and non-calcified atherosclerotic plaque, luminal stenosis, coronary anomalies, and — in combination with calcium scoring — provides a comprehensive picture of coronary artery disease burden. Coronary CCTA has a high negative predictive value for significant coronary artery disease. European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend it as a first-line imaging investigation for patients with stable chest pain and low-to-intermediate pre-test probability of coronary artery disease, where it can safely rule out significant disease and avoid the cost, risk, and discomfort of invasive catheter angiography. For patients with elevated calcium scores identified on a prior CAC scan, CCTA provides the anatomical follow-up to characterise the extent of disease. Beyond the coronary arteries, Radiologicum offers CT angiography of the entire aorta with three-dimensional reconstruction — used for assessment of aortic aneurysm, dissection screening, and pre-interventional planning. Carotid CT angiography evaluates the common and internal carotid arteries for stenosis and plaque, relevant for patients with stroke risk factors or prior transient ischaemic events. Peripheral CT angiography of the limb vessels is available for patients presenting with claudication, limb ischaemia, or pre-bypass planning. The Radiologicum group offers duplex ultrasound of the carotid and peripheral vessels as a complementary investigation, enabling a full vascular work-up without requiring catheterisation at any point. Preparation for CT angiography with contrast typically includes a brief fast of four to six hours before the examination, renal function testing if there are risk factors for contrast nephropathy, and — when indicated for coronary imaging — pre-medication to optimise heart rate. The full examination including preparation, contrast uptake, scanning, and recovery from contrast takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Results are made available digitally through the patient portal following radiologist reporting. Radiologicum Margareten accepts Austrian insurance fund (Kassen) patients with appropriate referrals and self-referred private patients. Appointments are booked online through the practice website; typical CT wait times at Margareten are around two business days.