Coronary Angiography

Coronary Angiography

Coronary angiography is a test used to find out how narrow your arteries are. Find out what you can expect and when to get a stent.

What is angiography and how is it done?

Angiography is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your body's blood vessels. X-rays provided by angiography are called angiograms. This test is used to study narrow, obstructed, dilated or bad arteries or veins in many parts of your body, including your brain, heart, stomach and feet.

An X-ray of the arteries in the heart is named as Coronary angiogram. The coronary angiogram shows the extent and severity of any heart disease. This can help you find out how well your heart is working.

Based on the details provided by coronary angiogram, you can talk to your doctor about treatment options such as angioplasty (stents) and bypass graft surgery or medications.

What happens during coronary angiography?

There is a thin, flexible tube called catheter. It is used to inject a liquid dye to your body to create X-ray images. Doctors thread the catheter from the access point to the desired artery. The access point is usually in your hand but it is also in your waist.

The color forms the blood flowing inside the blood vessels as seen on X-ray and indicates any narrow or obstructed area in the blood vessel. The color is then removed from your body by your kidneys and your urine.

How long does angiography take?

The time for angiography may take half an hour, although it can sometimes take longer. During your procedure, you will be monitored by a heart monitor that records your heart rate and rhythm. If at any time you feel sick or uncomfortable, you should tell the hospital employee.

If an angioplasty stent is applied during your angiography, this may take some time.

When can I go home after angiography?

You may need to stay in the hospital for several hours or overnight after the procedure. You may be asked to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and to flush the color with your kidneys.

Before going home, a nurse will teach you how to check the site for bleeding and what to do if it happens. If the waist is the site used, you may be asked to do heavy lifting for a week to prevent bleeding and stress.

Risks associated with angiography and angioplasty

As with all medical procedures, it has both risks and benefits associated with coronary angiography and angioplasty.

Talk to your doctor, nurse and other health professionals about the risks and benefits you may have and if you have any problems. Your health care team can give you more information about your personal circumstances and the level of risk.

Minor issues may include:

• Under skin, there is a bleeding at the wound site - it should improve after a few days, but if you are concerned please consult your GP
• Injuries - Catheter injury is common for a few weeks
• Contrast Dyke Allergies - Symptoms such as hives - You should discuss any allergies with your cardiologist.

More serious problems are uncommon, but may include:

• Damage to the artery in the hand or groin from the catheter, affecting the blood supply to the organ
• Heart attack
• Strokes
• Kidney damage due to contrast dye
• Tissue damage due to X-ray radiation if the procedure is prolonged
• Severe bleeding
• Death.

You may develop problems based on:

• The age – when you getting older, the risk may high.
• Whether this procedure is planned or emergency - emergency treatment is always risky because it has little time to plan and the patient must live with it
• If your kidney is damaged - the dye used during angioplasty may damage to your kidneys.
• If you have one or more black coronary arteries
• If you have severe heart disease.

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