Structural Cardiac CT in Surrey
Precise Imaging for
Complex Cardiac Care
We provide structural cardiac CT for patients with known or suspected structural heart disease and those being considered for specialist cardiac procedures. Our consultant-led imaging service delivers the detailed anatomical information cardiology and cardiac surgical teams need to plan treatment with confidence.
What Is Structural
Cardiac CT?
Structural cardiac CT is a specialised CT examination that creates highly detailed images of the heart, heart valves, major blood vessels and surrounding structures. Unlike a routine CT scan, it uses carefully tailored cardiac imaging protocols to capture the heart at the most suitable point in its cycle.
The resulting images can help clinicians understand an individual patient's anatomy, measure structures accurately and assess the relationship between the heart and nearby vessels. This information is particularly valuable when planning minimally invasive or catheter-based heart procedures.
What Can a Structural Cardiac CT Detect?
Structural cardiac CT provides an important anatomical assessment, supporting diagnosis and cardiac procedure planning.
It may help identify or evaluate:
Heart Valve Anatomy
and Calcification
The scan can show the size, shape and position of the aortic, mitral and other heart valves. It can also assess the extent and distribution of valve calcification, which is particularly important when considering transcatheter valve treatment.
Aortic Root and
Major Blood Vessels
Detailed images can assess the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch and other major vessels. Accurate measurements help clinicians understand the relationship between the valve, aorta and surrounding structures.
Left Atrial
Appendage Anatomy
Left atrial appendage imaging can show the appendage's size, shape, opening and relationship to nearby cardiac structures. This information may be required when assessing suitability for left atrial appendage closure procedures.
Cardiac Chambers and Surrounding Structures
Structural cardiac CT can evaluate cardiac chamber size, structural relationships and relevant surrounding chest anatomy. This can be valuable where complex anatomy may affect the approach to a planned intervention.
Congenital Heart Abnormalities
For adults with congenital heart disease, CT can identify anatomical variations involving the heart chambers, valves and blood vessels. It may also help assess previous surgical repairs and their relationship to current anatomy.
Vascular Access Routes
For procedures performed through blood vessels, CT can assess arteries in the chest, abdomen and pelvis. This helps the cardiac team identify suitable vascular access routes and plan the safest procedural approach.
Your scan is interpreted in the context of your symptoms, previous imaging and referral question. Findings are reported to your referring clinician, who will discuss the results and next steps with you.
Common Applications of Structural Cardiac CT
TAVI Planning
CT for TAVI planning is used for patients being assessed for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The scan provides precise measurements of the aortic valve, aortic root and blood vessels, helping the multidisciplinary team determine whether the procedure is suitable and how it can be planned safely.
Left Atrial Appendage Assessment
Left atrial appendage imaging can be used when planning left atrial appendage closure or evaluating its anatomy. Detailed CT images help assess the appendage's size, shape, opening and relationship to nearby cardiac structures.
Mitral Valve Procedure Planning
For selected patients, structural cardiac CT can support mitral valve procedure planning. It offers detailed information about the mitral valve apparatus, surrounding anatomy and potential access routes for transcatheter interventions.
Congenital Heart Disease Assessment
CT may be helpful in adults with congenital heart disease where detailed assessment of complex anatomy is required. It can show the relationship between chambers, vessels and previous surgical repairs, supporting onward specialist care.
Pre-Procedural Cardiac Planning
Cardiac procedure planning CT may be requested before a range of structural heart interventions. It helps cardiologists, surgeons and multidisciplinary teams make informed decisions about treatment options, device selection and procedural approach.
Why Choose a Structural Cardiac CT Scan?
Structural cardiac CT provides fast, detailed and highly accurate anatomical imaging. It can show structures that may be difficult to assess fully with other examinations, while also allowing measurements to be made in multiple views.
For patients undergoing transcatheter valve planning or other structural cardiac procedures, the information obtained can be integral to safe and effective treatment planning. The examination is non-invasive, although it usually involves an injection of contrast medium and uses a small amount of ionising radiation. We use protocols designed to achieve diagnostic image quality while keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably practicable.
Need detailed cardiac imaging to support treatment planning?
Contact us to discuss a referral for structural cardiac CT with our consultant-led team.
Why Choose SHB Medical Imaging?
Advanced CT Scanner Technology
We have access to latest-generation CT scanner platforms, including Canon technology at Frimley Park Hospital and GE Healthcare technology at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals.
Single Heartbeat Acquisition
Our advanced cardiac CT capability can acquire detailed coronary and structural cardiac images within a single heartbeat where clinically appropriate, helping reduce the impact of cardiac motion.
Motion Correction Technology
Advanced motion correction technology can improve image sharpness, including for some patients with faster heart rates. This supports clearer assessment of fine cardiac structures.
Consultant-Designed Protocols
At SHB Medical Imaging, our imaging protocols are developed and reviewed by consultant radiologists, rather than relying solely on generic manufacturer settings.
Dose-Conscious Imaging
We aim to use the lowest practical radiation dose while maintaining the image quality needed to answer the clinical question and support cardiac procedure planning.
Reduced Contrast Requirements
Where appropriate, optimised protocols can reduce contrast medium requirements. This may be particularly relevant for patients where contrast use needs careful consideration.
Specialist Consultant Reporting
Your scan is reviewed by a consultant radiologist with relevant cardiac imaging expertise. We understand both the technical requirements of the examination and its clinical importance.
Local NHS Consultant Expertise
We combine NHS consultant experience with accessible private imaging options for patients across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, reducing the need to travel further than necessary for specialist assessment.
The Patient Journey for a Structural Cardiac CT
Referral Received
We receive a referral from your consultant, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional. In certain circumstances, we may also be able to advise patients about available self-referral options.
Clinical Review and Appointment
The referral is reviewed to confirm that structural cardiac CT is the right examination. We then arrange an appointment at the most appropriate available hospital location.
Preparation and Imaging
Before your scan, our team will explain the examination, including any medication, fasting or contrast-related requirements. The scan is performed using a specialist cardiac CT protocol.
Consultant Interpretation
Your images are assessed by a consultant radiologist with expertise in cardiac imaging. They consider the referral question and produce a detailed clinical report.
Comprehensive Report Delivered
The report is sent to your referring clinician to support timely decision-making, treatment planning, follow-up or onward referral to a specialist cardiac team where needed.
How to Prepare for Your Structural Cardiac CT Scan
Preparation for structural cardiac CT depends on your medical history and the specific examination requested. You may be asked not to eat for a period before your appointment, although drinking water is often encouraged. Please tell us about allergies, kidney problems, pregnancy, asthma, diabetes and any previous reactions to contrast medium.
Some patients may need advice about heart-rate medication before the scan. Do not stop or alter prescribed medicines unless you have been specifically instructed to do so. We will provide clear preparation information before your appointment.
Working Across Leading Hospitals
We provide structural cardiac CT in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire through hospital-based locations with access to specialist equipment and consultant-led reporting. The most suitable site depends on the examination required, scanner availability and your clinical needs.
Frimley Park Hospital
Portsmouth Road,
Frimley,
Camberley,
GU16 7UJ
Aldershot Centre for Health
Hospital Hill,
Aldershot,
GU11 1AY
Clare Park Hospital
Crondall Lane,
Farnham,
GU10 5XX
Heatherwood Hospital
Brook Avenue,
Ascot
SL5 7GB
Wexham Park Hospital
Wexham Street,
Slough,
SL2 4HL
Questions about Structural Cardiac CTs in Surrey
What is a Structural Cardiac CT scan?
A Structural Cardiac CT scan is a specialist CT examination that produces detailed images of the heart, valves, aortic root, major blood vessels and surrounding structures. It uses tailored cardiac imaging protocols to capture the heart at the most suitable point in its cycle, allowing accurate anatomical measurements for diagnosis and treatment planning.
How does Structural Cardiac CT help plan heart procedures?
Structural cardiac CT provides detailed measurements of heart valves, chambers, blood vessels and access routes. This helps cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and multidisciplinary teams assess whether a procedure is suitable, select devices and plan the safest approach for interventions such as TAVI, mitral valve treatment or left atrial appendage closure.
Who may need a Structural Cardiac CT scan?
You may be referred for structural heart imaging if you have suspected or severe valve disease, are being assessed for TAVI or another transcatheter procedure, need left atrial appendage assessment, have congenital heart disease, or require detailed imaging before cardiac surgery or intervention.
What heart conditions can be assessed with Structural Cardiac CT?
Structural cardiac CT can assess valve anatomy and calcification, the aortic root and ascending aorta, cardiac chamber size, major vessels, congenital heart abnormalities, left atrial appendage anatomy and vascular access routes. It is particularly useful where precise anatomical assessment is needed for cardiac procedure planning.
Do I need a referral for a private Structural Cardiac CT scan?
Structural cardiac CT usually requires a referral from a consultant, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional, as the examination must be clinically justified and tailored to the referral question. In some circumstances, SHB Medical Imaging may be able to advise patients about available self-referral options.
How should I prepare for a Structural Cardiac CT scan?
Preparation depends on the scan and your medical history. You may be asked not to eat for a period beforehand, while drinking water is often encouraged. Tell the team about kidney problems, allergies, asthma, diabetes, pregnancy and any previous contrast reaction. Do not alter prescribed medication unless specifically advised.
How long does a Structural Cardiac CT scan take?
The CT image acquisition itself is usually very quick and may take only seconds, particularly with single-heartbeat cardiac CT technology where appropriate. Your full appointment may take longer to allow for registration, preparation, contrast injection, safety checks and any heart-rate-related instructions.
Will my Structural Cardiac CT scan be reviewed by a specialist cardiac radiologist?
Yes. At SHB Medical Imaging, structural cardiac CT scans are interpreted by a consultant radiologist with relevant cardiac imaging expertise. The report addresses the clinical referral question and provides the measurements and findings needed to support specialist cardiac decision-making.
What is the difference between a Cardiac CT scan and a Structural Cardiac CT scan?
Cardiac CT is a broad term covering CT examinations of the heart, including coronary artery imaging. Structural cardiac CT is tailored to assess heart valves, cardiac chambers, the aortic root, major vessels and access routes, often for planning structural heart procedures such as TAVI or left atrial appendage closure.
How quickly will I receive the results of my Structural Cardiac CT scan?
Following consultant reporting, the results are sent to your referring clinician, who will discuss the findings and next steps with you. Reporting times can vary depending on the clinical urgency and complexity of the examination, but the service is designed to support timely treatment and procedure planning.
Make a Referral for Structural Cardiac CT
If you are a clinician seeking structural cardiac CT in Surrey, or a patient wishing to understand your imaging options, contact SHB Medical Imaging today. We can help confirm the appropriate referral route, discuss available locations and provide practical information about the examination.
Our service supports cardiothoracic imaging in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, including CT for TAVI planning in Surrey, structural heart imaging in Hampshire and cardiac procedure planning CT in Berkshire.
Referrals are reviewed carefully to ensure each patient receives the most appropriate examination and specialist consultant reporting.
TBC