A CT scan pulmonary angiography (CTPA)

It is a special imaging test that we use to take detailed pictures of the blood vessels in your child’s lungs. This test helps us see if there are any blockages or other problems in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. It’s especially useful if we’re concerned about conditions like a pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage in one of these arteries.

Here’s what happens during the test:

Preparation:

When you and your child arrive, they’ll be taken to the CT scan room. Your child will need to change into a hospital gown to make sure there’s nothing that could interfere with the scan. Before the scan, we’ll explain the procedure to both of you, so you know exactly what to expect. If your child has any allergies, especially to iodine or contrast dye, it’s important to let us know.

Placing the IV:

To get the best images of the blood vessels, we’ll need to use a contrast dye that highlights the arteries in the lungs. This dye is given through a small IV that we’ll place in your child’s arm. The IV might pinch a little when it goes in, but it only takes a moment.

The CT Scan:

Your child will lie down on a special table that slides into the CT scanner, which is a large, donut-shaped machine. The table will move slowly through the scanner while it takes pictures. The scan itself is quick and painless. Your child will need to lie very still during the scan to get the clearest images. Sometimes, we might ask your child to hold their breath for a few seconds to make sure the images are sharp and clear.
As the contrast dye is injected through the IV, your child might feel a warm sensation or a metallic taste in their mouth. This is normal and goes away quickly.

After the Scan:

Once the scan is complete, we’ll remove the IV, and your child can get dressed and return to their normal activities. There are usually no side effects from the contrast dye, but we’ll ask you to make sure your child drinks plenty of water afterward to help flush the dye out of their system. The images from the scan will be reviewed by a specialist, and we’ll discuss the results with you once they’re ready. This will help us understand if there are any issues with your child’s pulmonary arteries that need attention.

Why We Use CTPA:

CT pulmonary angiography gives us detailed images of the blood vessels in your child’s lungs, allowing us to detect any blockages, narrowing, or other problems. It’s a very accurate and reliable way to diagnose conditions that could affect your child’s heart and lung function.