Coronary angiography

Coronary angiography is a medical procedure that uses a dye and special X-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in your heart. This procedure is often done to see if there's a restriction in blood flow going to the heart.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

Coronary angiography is often done along with cardiac catheterization. This is a procedure which involves inserting a thin flexible tube (a catheter) into the right side of the heart and the arteries leading to the heart.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Coronary angiography is used to study the inside of the blood vessels, heart chambers, and to treat certain heart conditions. It can also determine whether a heart condition is due to disease in the blood vessels to the heart, or in the heart itself.

Risks[edit | edit source]

Like any invasive procedure, coronary angiography has potential risks. These include injury to the catheterized artery, irregular heart rhythms, allergic reactions to the contrast material, kidney damage, stroke, heart attack, or even death.

Preparation[edit | edit source]

Before the procedure, the patient will be asked to fast for a certain period of time, usually overnight. The patient should also inform the doctor about any allergies, all medications they are taking, and if they are pregnant.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

During the procedure, the patient is awake. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area where the catheter will be inserted. The catheter is then inserted into an artery in the groin or arm and threaded through the blood vessels to the heart.

After the Procedure[edit | edit source]

After the procedure, the patient will be monitored for several hours or overnight. They will need to lie flat for a few hours to avoid bleeding. The heartbeat and other vital signs will be monitored, and pain medication may be given.

Results[edit | edit source]

The results of the coronary angiography will help determine if the patient needs further treatment such as angioplasty or stent placement, coronary artery bypass surgery, or medication.

Coronary angiography Resources
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