Vascular CT Study

Purpose of the Test

Vascular CTA studies are non-invasive tests. They use contrast to highlight blood vessels and vascular organs.

The Test

• Do not eat anything 1 hour before your test.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water 24 hours before your test.
• You may take all regularly scheduled meds EXCEPT: Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glucovance, Glumetza, Janumet, Kombiglyze, Metaglip, Metformin, Riomet and Prandimet. Other medicines for diabetes taken by mouth will need to be held for 48 hours after the procedure.
• Come to the CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center atrium desk at your scheduled time.
• We will explain the test before starting it.
• We will place an intravenous (IV) line into your arm or hand. We will use this line to give you the contrast for your test.
• During the CT exam, the scanner will take pictures while the contrast is being injected. The contrast will make you feel warm and may give you a metallic-like taste in your mouth. This feeling will last 20 to 30 seconds.
• The test will take about 15 minutes.
• Once the technologist is sure all information is gathered, we will remove your IV. You may continue all normal activities and eat as usual after the test.