What Is Coronary Angiography?

: Admin : 2021-08-25

Coronary angiography is a test that determines whether or not you have a blockage in a coronary artery. If you have unstable angina, atypical chest pain, aortic stenosis, or unexplained heart failure, your doctor will be concerned that you are at risk of a heart attack. During coronary angiography, a contrast dye will be injected into your arteries using a catheter (a thin, plastic tube) while your doctor monitors the flow of blood through your heart on an X-ray screen. Cardiac angiography, catheter arteriography, or cardiac catheterization are other names for this examination.

Types of angiography

Angiography can be classified into numerous forms based on the area of the body being examined.

• Coronary angiography-a procedure used to examine the heart and adjacent blood arteries.

• Cerebral angiography-a procedure used to examine the blood vessels in and around the brain.

• Pulmonary angiography-a procedure used to examine the blood vessels that supply the lungs.

• Renal angiography is used to examine the blood vessels that supply the kidneys.

Scans are sometimes used instead of X-rays for angiography. These are referred to as CT angiography or MRI angiography.

What is the cost of Angiography?

Why is angiography used?

Angiography is a test that is used to determine the health of your blood vessels and how blood flows through them.

It can aid in the diagnosis or investigation of a variety of blood vessel issues, including:

• Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the arteries that can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

• Peripheral arterial disease is characterised by a decrease in blood flow to the leg muscles.

• A brain aneurysm — a swollen blood vessel in your brain

• Angina is a type of chest pain produced by a decrease in blood flow to the heart muscles.

• pulmonary embolism (a blockage in the artery supplying your lungs) or blood clots

• an obstruction in your kidneys' blood supply

• Some of these disorders may also benefit from angiography to aid in therapy planning.  

Preparing for Angiography

You may be asked to attend a hospital appointment to ensure that you are fit for angiography.

This could include:

• being questioned about your medical history, especially whether or not you have any allergies.

• being questioned about any medications you're taking- You'll be told if you need to cease taking them before the test.

• Have tests to assess your overall health, such as a physical checkup and a blood test.

• Including discussing the procedure, including what it entails, the dangers, what you need to do before the test, and whether you'd want to receive a sedative to help you rest on the day of the test.

• If you choose to take a sedative, you will be asked not to eat for many hours before the test.

• You will also need to make arrangements for someone to drive you home from the hospital because you will be unable to drive yourself.

Angiography procedure

For the test:

You'll normally be conscious, but for tiny children, a general anaesthetic (when you'll be asleep) may be used.

A small incision is made in the skin over one of your arteries, generally, near your groyne or wrist-a, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the region so it doesn't hurt.

A long, thin, flexible tube (catheter) is placed into the artery and carefully directed to the area being inspected — this may cause some pushing and pulling, but it should not be uncomfortable.

A specific dye (contrast agent) is administered through the catheter; you may feel warm, flushed, and need to pee for a few seconds after this.

As the dye passes through your blood vessels, a series of X-rays are taken.

Treatment may be administered concurrently, such as inserting a balloon or a tiny tube to open a restricted artery. This is referred to as angioplasty.

Following the surgery, the catheter is removed and pressure is applied to the cut to halt any further bleeding. Stitches aren't required.

What happens during Angiography?

You will be given a small sedative to help you relax before the test. Throughout the exam, you will remain awake.

Anaesthesia will be used by your doctor to clean and numb a part of your body in the back or arm. As a sheath is put into an artery, you may feel dull pressure. A thin tube known as a catheter will be carefully directed up to an artery in your heart. On a screen, your doctor will monitor the entire procedure.

You are unlikely to feel the tube move through your blood vessels.

How will the test feel?

Following the injection of the dye, a minor burning or "flushing" feeling may be noticed.

To prevent bleeding after the test, pressure will be administered to the place where the catheter is removed. If the catheter is inserted into your groyne, you may be instructed to lie flat on your back for a few hours following the test to prevent bleeding. This can cause minor back pain.

After the exam, drink plenty of water to help your kidneys flush away the contrast dye.

After angiography

Following the test, you will be transferred to a recovery ward and instructed to lie still for a few hours to prevent bleeding from the cut.

You should be able to go home the same day, but you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

It may be feasible to inform you of the test findings before you leave. However, X-rays are frequently required to investigate in-depth, and the results are not ready for several weeks.

Recovering time after angiography

Rest for the rest of the day it's a good idea to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours in case of complications.

Eat and drink as soon as you feel ready-the contrast dye exits your body through your pee, so drinking plenty of water can help flush it out faster.

Most routine activities can normally be resumed the next day, though heavy lifting and intense exercise should be avoided for a few days. You’ll most likely experience some bruising and pain for a few days.