Coronary Angiography: Visualizing Heart Arteries

A coronary angiogram is a procedure performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) to visualize the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. This allows doctors to identify areas of narrowing or blockage in these vessels.

Preparation:

  • Inform your doctor about any kidney problems or allergies to iodine-based contrast dyes.
  • Follow your doctor’s pre-procedure instructions.
  • Typically, you’ll be asked to fast (no food or drink) after midnight on the day of the procedure, except for necessary medications.

Procedure:

  • Local anesthesia is administered to the groin area or wrist area.
  • A needle is inserted into the femoral artery (in the groin) or the radial artery (in the wrist).
  • A guide wire is threaded through the needle, followed by a catheter.
  • The catheter is guided to the openings of the coronary arteries.
  • Contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries, and X-ray images are captured to visualize blood flow and identify blockages.
  • In some cases, the catheter is guided into the left ventricle, and dye is injected to assess its pumping function.
  • The entire procedure is recorded digitally.
  • The choice of femoral or radial access is determined by the patient’s anatomy, the cardiologist’s preference and the clinical situation.

Post-Procedure:

  • You may be discharged the same day, but you’ll be monitored for several hours (typically 6 hours) to ensure the puncture site in the groin or wrist seals properly.
  • Radial access patients usually recover faster, and can get up and walk sooner than femoral access patients.

Benefits:

  • Provides detailed information about the left ventricle’s function.
  • Accurately identifies narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
  • Allows for immediate intervention, such as balloon angioplasty and stenting, if necessary.

Risks:

  • The risk of complications is low (less than 1%).
  • Consult your cardiologist about any specific risks.
  • Radial access significantly reduces the risk of bleeding complications compared to femoral access.
  • The benefits of the procedure generally outweigh the risks.

Necessity:

  • Coronary angiography is the “gold standard” for diagnosing coronary artery disease.
  • It’s the most accurate and reliable test for visualizing the extent and severity of blockages in the coronary arteries.
  • It is very useful for patients who are at high risk for future cardiac events.