CT coronary angiography and coronary calcium
CT coronary angiography is a CT scan of the arteries that feed your heart muscle. We inject an iodine contrast agent into a vein. The scanner takes images in sync with your ECG, and software builds a 3D model of the coronary arteries. The doctor sees plaque, narrowing and unusual vessel anatomy. No catheter goes into an artery, and you go home the same day. A separate test, the calcium score, needs no contrast. It measures how much calcium has already built up in the artery walls. Both tests are done in the Diagnostic Department of Oberig Clinic, and radiologists write the report.
Cardiac CT: what the scan shows
The main goal is to find atherosclerosis before it causes a heart attack. The images show where plaque sits, what it is made of (soft, mixed or calcified) and how much it narrows each artery. The radiologist reports every branch on its own: the left main, the left anterior descending, the circumflex and the right coronary artery.
The scanner also sees the heart chambers, the thickness of the heart wall, the valves, the aorta and the pericardium. One scan can answer several questions at once. Are the bypass grafts open after surgery? Do the coronary arteries start from the aorta in the right place? Is the ascending aorta widened? If your cardiologist also wants to know how the ventricles pump, the price list has a separate item for heart structure and function analysis.
A big strength of this test is a reliable negative result. Clean arteries on CT almost rule out a significant blockage. In that case you do not need an invasive angiogram.
Many reports use the CAD-RADS scale from 0 to 5. Zero means no plaque. Grades 1-2 mean minimal or mild changes. Doctors treat them with pills and risk factor control. Grade 3 means moderate narrowing up to 69%. Your cardiologist may add a stress test here. Grades 4-5 mean severe stenosis or a full blockage. Then an invasive angiogram is usually discussed. Cardiologists in any clinic read this scale the same way.
When doctors order a heart CT angiogram
Most often the test helps people with chest pain or pressure that does not look typical. The resting ECG is normal, the stress test gave an unclear answer, and the cardiologist now wants to know for sure whether any of the coronary arteries is narrowed. Another group has no symptoms but a high risk: smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, early heart attacks in the family.
The scan also helps before planned valve surgery or other major operations. It checks bypass grafts and looks for inborn coronary anomalies, for example in young athletes. A cardiologist gives the referral. No referral yet? Start with a cardiology consultation. The doctor will assess your risk, record an ECG and pick the test you really need.
Coronary calcium score
This is the quickest and simplest option. There is no contrast and no catheter. The scan itself takes a few seconds, and the radiation dose is low. Software finds calcium spots in the coronary artery walls and gives an Agatston score. Calcium is a trace of old plaque that has been sitting in the artery wall for years, long before most people feel any chest pain or shortness of breath. The higher the score, the more atherosclerosis you have and the higher your risk of a heart event in the coming years.
The calcium score does not show soft plaque or how tight a narrowing is. It works well for risk assessment in people without symptoms. With chest pain, cardiologists usually choose full CT coronary angiography. The ranges below are a rough guide. Your cardiologist reads the result together with your blood tests and blood pressure.
| Agatston score | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 0 | no calcium, low risk |
| 1-99 | a small amount of plaque |
| 100-399 | moderate atherosclerosis, higher risk |
| 400 or more | extensive atherosclerosis, more tests needed |
How to prepare
The calcium score needs almost no preparation. Just come as you are. For a contrast scan of the coronary arteries, preparation matters more. Image quality depends on your pulse and on how well your kidneys work.
- Bring your referral (if you have one), past ECGs, echocardiograms, CT or angiogram results.
- If you are over 65 or have diabetes or kidney disease, get a blood creatinine test in advance to calculate eGFR. With eGFR below 30 ml/min, we do not perform contrast CT.
- With eGFR of 30-44 ml/min, metformin is usually stopped 48 hours before and 48 hours after the scan. Your doctor decides this.
- Had a reaction to iodine contrast before? See an anesthesiologist first.
- Usually you skip coffee, strong tea, energy drinks and smoking for 12 hours. Have your last light meal 3-4 hours before. Water is fine.
- Do not stop heart or blood pressure medicines on your own. Bring a list of them.
What happens during the scan
First, the nurse checks your pulse and blood pressure, places a small cannula in an arm vein and attaches ECG electrodes. The pictures come out sharp when the heart beats steadily and not too fast, up to about 65 beats per minute. If your pulse is higher, the doctor may give you a medicine to slow it. Right before the scan you may get a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. It widens the arteries.
You lie on your back with your arms above your head. The radiographer asks you to hold your breath a few times for 5-10 seconds. When the contrast goes in, you may feel warm and notice a metallic taste. This is normal. It fades within a minute, and most people say the waiting before the scan feels longer than the scan itself. The scan itself lasts seconds. The whole visit with preparation takes 15-30 minutes.
After contrast, stay in the clinic for up to 30 minutes. We watch for a rare allergic reaction. Then go about your day and drink extra water, because fluids help your kidneys clear the contrast agent over the next few hours. If you breastfeed, skip feeds for 24 hours.
Your result and next steps
The radiologist reviews hundreds of thin slices and 3D reconstructions, then writes a report that covers each artery, the type of plaque and the degree of narrowing in percent. The Diagnostic Department issues reports within 24 hours, except weekends and public holidays. You can get it on the day of the scan if you arrange this with the doctor in advance.
Take the report to your cardiologist. Small plaques mean it is time to work on cholesterol, blood pressure and lifestyle. A narrowing over 50-70% usually calls for more tests or an invasive angiogram, often with a stent. Need a comparison with a scan from another hospital? Our radiologists offer a second opinion with a separate written report.
Frequently asked questions
How is CT different from a standard angiogram?
A standard coronary angiogram is invasive. The doctor passes a catheter through an artery in the wrist or groin. The upside: a stent can go in right away. CT coronary angiography uses a vein. It takes a few minutes. You stay outpatient. For diagnosis alone, CT is often enough.
Is the radiation harmful?
There is a dose. On modern ECG-gated scanners it is moderate. The calcium score gives an even lower dose. Doctors order the test only when the answer it gives can change your treatment. The benefit must clearly outweighs the small risk from the dose. Pregnant women get CT only for life-threatening reasons.
Can I have CT with an irregular heartbeat?
Yes, but image quality drops. Atrial fibrillation causes the most trouble. Mention it when you book. The radiologist will adjust the protocol or suggest another test.
Does CT show stents?
Bypass grafts show up well. Large stents can be assessed too. In thin stents, the metal may blur the view. Your cardiologist decides if CT makes sense after stenting.
How often should I repeat the calcium score?
With a zero score, a repeat usually makes sense after 5 years at the earliest. With plaque, your cardiologist sets the schedule.
Do I need a referral?
Adults can have a calcium score without one. Before a contrast CT, see a cardiologist first. That way the scan answers the right question.
What if I suddenly get chest pain?
Severe burning pain that lasts over 15 minutes is a reason to call an ambulance, not to book a CT. In Kyiv, the clinic's emergency service works 24/7 on 3003.
CT coronary angiography price
At Oberig Clinic, CT coronary angiography costs UAH 7,985. The coronary calcium score costs UAH 2,045. The total for a contrast cardiac CT depends on the scope. See the full list below.
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| CT coronary angiography (screening) | UAH 7,985 |
| Coronary calcium quantification | UAH 2,045 |
| Heart structure and function analysis | UAH 3,930 |
| Contrast enhancement for MSCT | UAH 2,645 |
| Cardiology consultation | UAH 1,670 |
| Extended cardiology consultation (echo, ECG) | UAH 2,980 |
Prices are from the clinic price list as of 02.10.2026 and may change. Please check the current cost and what your scan includes with our contact center.
Why choose Oberig Clinic for a cardiac CT
- Three CT scanners with 128, 64 and 20 slices, including a Siemens Somatom go.Top with a lower radiation dose. The Diagnostic Department is a Siemens reference center.
- Radiologists read the scans: Taras Matsiievskyi, head of the department, Iryna Mykytenko, deputy head, and Oleksandr Lysenko, a top-category radiologist.
- Reports within 24 hours under American College of Radiology protocols. The CT room has everything for emergency care.
- Cardiologists, echocardiography, Holter, stress tests and cardiac MRI under one roof. For other vessels we offer CT angiography of the aorta, neck, brain and limbs.
Address: Kyiv, 3 Zoolohichna St., buildings G and V. Book online at https://my.oberig.ua/ua/appointment/ or call +38 044 521 30 03.
CT coronary angiography and coronary calcium?
