Cardiovascular system Computerized tomography and angiotomography

The computerized tomography is an exam that uses radiography and a computer to record detailed images of the body. This exam is called as angiotomography when it is used to visualize arteries. The modern devices with multiple detectors (or multislice) have a very good definition of the vessel image, enabling a reconstruction in the computer and reproducing the patient’s anatomy with great perfection. Only a contrast agent injection in a peripheral vein is needed, and the exam is performed in few minutes, being painless. It can be used to evaluate any artery in the body, but large-caliber vessels (such as aorta, iliac arteries, femoral arteries, and carotids) present a better definition than the thinner vessels (for example, coronary arteries). This is the exam of choice to evaluate aneurysms, as well as to prepare for aortic endovascular procedures and to follow them.

Support notes

Aortic aneurysms: Dilation located on the wall of a blood vessel, which can occur in any artery in the body, but is more frequent in the aorta. Click here here to go to the page of Aortic Aneurysms and to know more about this subject.