CT Scans at Children's Heart Institute

How is a CT Scan Different from an X-ray?

Chest x-rays aim a beam of energy at your child's heart or other body part that the doctor needs to study. A plate behind the body part captures the beam after it passes through skin, bone, muscle, and other tissue.

While doctors can obtain a large amount of data from an x-ray, it doesn't provide precise details about internal organs and other structures.

CT (computed tomography) scans move the x-ray beam in a circle around the body to create images. A computer interprets the x-ray data and displays a two-dimensional image on a monitor.

This gives doctors many different, more detailed views of the heart that can be displayed in three dimensions.

What is a CT Scan With Contrast?

At the Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we perform CT scans primarily with contrast.

"Contrast" refers to a special dye that patients receive through an IV line that allows doctors to see the heart and vasculature more clearly.

Our state-of-the-art photon counting CT scanner minimizes the radiation dose used in every scan and provides high-resolution images.

Depending on the results of the CT scan, patients may need other tests or procedures to help diagnose their heart problem.

Make an Appointment for a CT Scan

To make an appointment or learn more about CT scans, contact the Heart Institute at UPMC Children's at 412-692-5540.

Learn More About CT Scans

View our CT scan patient procedure sheet.