Coronary Angiography

Doctors often use this test to study narrow, blocked, enlarged, or malformed arteries or veins in many parts of your body, including your brain, heart, abdomen, and legs.
A coronary angiogram studies the arteries in the heart.

Sometimes doctors also treat a problem during an angiogram. For instance, your doctor may be able to dissolve a clot that he or she discovers during the test.
A doctor may also perform an angioplasty and stenting proceedure to clear blocked arteries during an angiogram, depending on the location and extent of the blockage.
An angiogram can also help your doctor plan operations to repair the arteries for more extensive problems.

How is coronary angiography performed?

To create the x-ray images, your doctor will inject a liquid, sometimes called "dye", through a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter. The doctor threads the catheter into the desired artery from an access point. The access point is usually in your groin but it can also be in your arm or, less commonly, a blood vessel in another location.
This dye, properly called contrast, makes the blood flowing inside the blood vessels visible on an x-ray. The dye will show any narrowed or blocked area in the blood vessel. The contrast is later eliminated from your body through your kidneys and your urine.
Your hospital will ask you not to eat or drink anything for a few hours before your angiogram takes place.
This test is done in the X-ray department and you can expect the test to last half an hour, although it can sometimes take longer.
During your procedure, you’ll be monitored by a heart monitor that records your heart rate and rhythm, but if you feel unwell or experience discomfort at any time, you should tell a member of the hospital staff.

What happens afterwards?

After the test, the medical team will monitor you for about 6 hours. During this time, you should keep the arm or leg that was punctured straight to minimize bleeding from the puncture site. You will also be asked to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and flush the dye from your kidneys.
Once any bleeding from the insertion site has stopped and your vital signs are normal, your Doctor or nurse will tell you that you can leave.
At home, you can eat and drink normally. You should be able to resume normal activities within a day or two of the procedure.
Do not do any heavy lifting or straining for about one week to prevent bleeding and bruising from the site.

What are the possible complications of an angiogram?

Complications from angiography may include bleeding, pain, or swelling where the catheter was inserted, or pain, numbness, or coolness in your arm or leg. These symptoms may signify either bleeding from the puncture site or blockage of your artery. Bruising at the puncture site is common and usually resolves on its own.
Rarely, impaired kidney function, or kidney failure, can occur following an angiogram, especially if you already have kidney disease. Also rarely, severe allergic reactions can occur, especially among people who have had previous allergic reactions to the contrast dye. Infrequently, a patient may experience shortness of breath or fluid

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