Coronary CTA with Cleerly AI — See the Plaque Before the Heart Attack

A coronary calcium score is a quick, no-contrast scan that measures only calcified (hardened) plaque. It cannot see soft plaque — the type most likely to rupture and cause a heart attack. A coronary CTA uses IV contrast to map the entire coronary tree and, with Cleerly AI, quantifies soft plaque, calcified plaque, and exact stenosis at every segment. CCTA gives you the full picture; calcium scoring gives you a starting estimate.

A stress test detects existing flow-limiting blockages by stressing the heart and watching for symptoms or ECG changes. It can miss meaningful disease that hasn't yet caused a critical narrowing. CCTA directly visualizes plaque — including non-obstructive disease that still raises future heart-attack risk. Cardiologists increasingly use CCTA as a first-line test for stable chest pain.

Cleerly is an FDA-cleared software platform that uses artificial intelligence to analyze CCTA images. It segments every coronary artery, characterizes plaque as soft, fibrous, or calcified, calculates plaque volume, and grades stenosis percentage. The output is a personalized, color-coded report — essentially a Google Maps view of your coronary arteries — that gives your cardiologist far more actionable data than a traditional read alone.

Modern cardiac CT uses dose-reduction protocols that have dramatically lowered radiation exposure compared to earlier generations. A typical CCTA delivers a few millisieverts — comparable to other diagnostic CT exams and far less than a cardiac catheterization. The benefit of identifying high-risk plaque before a heart attack typically outweighs this exposure.

Iodine-based IV contrast is what makes the coronary arteries visible on CT. Without it, the arteries cannot be reliably mapped. If you have a known iodine allergy or significant kidney disease, let us know — alternatives or premedication protocols may be available.

Adults with chest pain or shortness of breath of unclear cause, those with intermediate cardiovascular risk, family history of premature heart disease, abnormal calcium scores, diabetes, high cholesterol, or those whose primary care physician or cardiologist has recommended advanced cardiac imaging. It is not typically recommended for patients with very high pretest probability of disease (where direct catheterization is preferred) or those with implants that interfere with imaging.

Coronary CTA is increasingly covered by Medicare and major commercial insurers when medically indicated, particularly for stable chest pain. The Cleerly AI plaque analysis may be billed separately. Call (727) 398-5999 to verify your benefits or for self-pay pricing.

Coronary CTA requires a physician order. See the dedicated booking page below for full pricing details, sample reports, and scheduling — or call us and we'll help coordinate with your cardiologist or primary care physician.