Coronary Angiography is a diagnostic test used to understand the condition of your coronary arteries. It uses a special dye that makes your arteries visible through X-ray. It is used to find any blockage in the artery which could be causing various heart disorders. With advanced technologies, this minimally invasive test has a success rate of over 95%.
Why Is A Coronary Angiography Needed?
Coronary angiography is commonly used to diagnose and evaluate the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition in which the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart become constricted or obstructed. So, if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as the following, you may be advised to get a coronary angiography test done:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
In some cases, coronary angiography may also be recommended for those who have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, such as people with:
- Family history of the condition
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- History of heart disease or heart attack
This test can diagnose and evaluate the severity of several conditions related to the blood vessels in and around the heart, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Coronary artery blockages
- Aneurysms or bulges in the blood vessels
- Narrowing of the heart valves
- Abnormalities in the blood vessels that may affect the heart muscle
Can Coronary Angiography Be Used For Treatment?
Yes, if your doctor is able to determine the exact nature of the blockage and deems it fit to proceed with treating the condition through the same catheter, he can do so easily. He can use the same catheter to perform angioplasty (using a balloon to open up the blockage or widen the narrowing) or stent placement.
How Is A Coronary Angiography Done?
- Coronary angiography is done under local anesthesia. So, you will have to abstain from eating or drinking at least 12 hours before the procedure. It is also best to have a relaxing, stress-free day before you walk into the testing center.
- Your doctor or a specially trained technician will place electrodes on your chest and start an IV line.
- He will inject local anesthesia where the incision will be made for the catheter. It is usually near the groin or wrist.
- Once you feel numb down there, he will insert the catheter through a small incision and carefully thread it to the heart via the blood vessels.
- When the catheter is in place, a contrast dye will be released into the blood vessels. The dye will make the blood vessels visible on X-ray images.
- Sufficient images or videos will be taken for evaluation and the catheter will be guided out of your body.
- Compression and bandages are used to stop bleeding at the site of the incision.
- And then you will recover under observation.