What is an angiography? Angiography is a procedure performed to view blood vessels after injecting them with a radio opaque dye that outlines them on x-ray. An angiogram of the heart is the standard for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). A coronary angiogram can be used to identify the exact location and severity of CAD.
Angiography can be used to look at arteries in many areas of the body, including the brain, neck (carotids), heart, aorta, chest, pulmonary circuit, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and limbs.
Why is Angiography Done?
A Coronary Angiography is done if a patient has symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain (angina), an unexplained pain in your chest, jaw, neck or arm, a congenital heart disease or congestive heart failure.
How is a coronary angiogram performed?
A very small tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in your upper thigh (groin area) or arm. The tip of the tube is positioned either in the heart or at the beginning of the arteries supplying the heart, and a special fluid (called a contrast medium or dye) is injected. This fluid is visible by X-ray, and the pictures that are obtained are called angiograms.
Coronary angiography is performed with the use of local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, and is generally not significantly uncomfortable.
The procedure takes approximately 20-30 minutes. After the procedure, the catheter is removed and the artery in the leg or arm is sutured, "sealed," or treated with manual compression to prevent bleeding.
Often, if an angioplasty or stent is indicated, it will be performed as part of the same procedure.
What does a coronary angiogram demonstrate?
Angiographic images accurately reveal the extent and severity of all coronary artery blockages. For patients with severe angina or heart attack (myocardial infarction), or those who have markedly abnormal noninvasive tests for CAD (such as stress tests), the angiogram also helps the doctor select the optimal treatment. Treatments may then include medications, balloon angioplasty, coronary stenting, or coronary artery bypass surgery .
Stay in the Hospital
Same Day discharge or 01 day stay