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Heart and Vascular Institute

Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging

Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Program

Advanced CT Imaging of the Heart

The Johns Hopkins Cardiac CT Program provides noninvasive detailed x-ray scans of your heart to detect cardiovascular disease and its overall function. Our cardiologists use the latest technologies for precise diagnostic imaging.

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Current Johns Hopkins Medicine patients: Log into MyChart and schedule online
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New and existing patients: 443-997-0270
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Why Choose Johns Hopkins for Cardiac CT Imaging

Latest Technology and Research

Our experts are world leaders in Cardiac CT Imaging and use the latest technology to get the best images of your heart. In 2019, the nation’s first ultra-high-resolution CT scanner was installed at Johns Hopkins Hospital under the direction of Cardiology.
cardiac computed tomagraphy ct - illustration of ct scan machine

Patient-centered Care

Your scan is specifically tailored to you and your needs to get best results while minimizing risks from radiation and contrast agents.
cardiac computed tomagraphy ct - illustration of stethoscope

Immediate Imaging Findings with Patient Care

Your heart images will be read by cardiologists and results will be sent to your doctor without delay. As cardiologists, we provide immediate guidance on your care based on your heart scan.
cardiac computed tomagraphy ct scan - illustration of diverse medical professionals

Patient InformationCardiac CT Overview

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) refers to using CT to capture images of the heart and vessels connected to the heart. Computed tomography is an x-ray technique for obtaining many images in fast sequence from different angles so that the anatomy can be viewed from all sides.

The heart is difficult to image because of its movement. Advances in CT technology have allowed to take images of the heart with “frozen motion”, when the heart rate is reasonably low. Medications to temporarily lower the heart rate are often given to reduce inaccurate results.

Cardiac CT may be performed with or without the use of intravenous contrast application. Most applications, however, require the use of contrast.

doctor talking to patient about scan results

How Can a Cardiac CT Diagnose Heart Conditions?

Cardiac CT evaluates the structure of the heart but it also can evaluate its function. Most heart diseases can be detected by a cardiac CT like coronary artery disease, which the test can detect plaque in the coronary arteries and how it impacts the heart muscle. 

As one of the very few programs worldwide, we are proud to offer CT myocardial perfusion imaging at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which combines imaging of the coronary arteries with evaluation for myocardial ischemia after vasodilator challenge. Review of prior myocardial infarction can also be obtained with CT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Cardiac CT is also used to guide procedures in cardiology, like ablation therapy for heart rhythm abnormalities or prior to heart valve replacement. Cardiac CT may be used to exclude a large blood clot in the cardiac chambers and prior to closure of the left atrial appendage.

cardiac ct johns hopkins - image of ct scan of the heart

Clinical Services and Technology

All scans are read by both a cardiologist (reading the findings on the heart) and a radiologists (reporting findings outside the heart. Your cardiologist may provide recommendations for further testing or treatment depending on your imaging results.

At the Johns Hopkins Hospital, our main CT machine is a 320-detector located in the cardiac catheterization laboratory on the 5th floor of the Zayed Building. This scanner allows whole-heart imaging within one heartbeat in almost all situations, even with rapid heartbeats.

In 2019, the nation’s first ultra-high-resolution CT scanner was installed at Johns Hopkins Hospital under the direction of the Division of Cardiology/Department of Medicine. This scanner is capable of detecting smaller structures than conventional CT.

At the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, scans may be performed on either a 320-detector scanner or a dual-source scanner with smaller coverage but better temporal resolution.

a tech helps a woman into a CT machine

Learn More Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA)

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a noninvasive 3d imaging test that can detect abnormalities of the heart and its vessels.

Learn More

Research

Our Cardiac CT program in Cardiology has a very active research program which includes clinical studies, basic-science investigations, and in-vitro experiments. Our program was centrally involved in many of the validation studies for cardiac CT and CT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Current clinical investigations include:

Research

Our Cardiac CT program in Cardiology has a very active research program which includes clinical studies, basic-science investigations, and in-vitro experiments. Our program was centrally involved in many of the validation studies for cardiac CT and CT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Current clinical investigations include:

  • Ultra-high-resolution CT vs. invasive angiography for detecting hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease—the CORE PRECISION PILOT STUDY
    Principal investigator: Armin Arbab-Zadeh, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D.
    Enrollment status: Active. Patients referred for cardiac catheterization are being recruited.

 

  • Comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Imaging in Patients Recovered from COVID-19 Infection
    Principal investigator: Joao Lima, M.B.A., M.D.
    Enrollment status: Active. Patients who recovered from Covid are being recruited.

 

  • Ultra-high-resolution CT for Personalized Computational Models of Ventricular Tachycardia
    Principal investigators: Jonathan Chrispin, M.D.
    Enrollment status: Active. Patients with ventricular tachycardia undergoing ablation are being recruited.

Highlighted Research

  • Miller JM, Rochitte C, Dewey M, Arbab-Zadeh A, Niinuma H, Gottlieb I, Paul N, Clouse M, Shapiro E, Hoe J, Lardo AC, Bush D, de Roos A, Cox C, Brinker J, Lima JAC. Coronary artery evaluation using 64-row multidetector computed tomography angiography (CORE-64): results of a multicenter, international trial to assess diagnostic accuracy compared with conventional coronary angiography. NEJM. 2008;359:2324-2336.
     
  • Hecht JH, Blaha MJ, Kazerooni EA, Cury RC, Budoff M, Leipsic J, Shaw L. CAC-DRS; Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System. An expert document of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT). J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2018;12:185-191.
  • Latina J, Shabani M, Kapoor K, Whelton SP, Trost JC, Sesso J, Demehri S, Mahesh M, Lima JAC, Arbab-Zadeh A. Ultra-high-resolution CT coronary angiography for assessment of patients with severe coronary artery calcification: Initial Experience. Radiol Cardiovasc Imag 2021; in press.

Find Care Meet Our Cardiac CT Experts

Learn more about our multidisciplinary team of experts, researchers and staff

Find an Expert

Locations for Care

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

1800 Orleans St
Baltimore, MD 21287

Phone: 410-955-5000

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

4940 Eastern Ave
Baltimore, MD 21224

Phone: 410-550-0100

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center exterior, front view.

For PhysiciansEducation

Our program has been on the forefront of national and international education since 2006. We offer one of the longest, continuously running credentialing courses for cardiac CT training. This intensive practicum is over 1 week and is followed by home assignments and testing. This program provides requirements for level I and II credentialing according to the recommendations by the Society of Cardiovascular CT, Certification Boards of Cardiovascular CT and Core Cardiovascular Training Statements. The practicum is online and is available usually at least once every month except for the summer break.

Learn more about the program.

We are also offering one of very few courses in CT myocardial perfusion imaging. These courses are being offered according to demand. Please contact Kathleen Lensch at 410-614-1284 for more information.

cardiac ct johns hopkins - woman assuring man undergoing a ct scan