Purpose:
- Blood Vessel Examination: Coronary angiography focuses on the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.
- Detecting Blockages: It identifies narrowed or blocked arteries, which can cause chest pain (angina) or heart attacks.
- Cardiac Catheterization: This procedure is part of cardiac catheterization, where thin tubes (catheters) are inserted into blood vessels.
Procedure:
- Contrast Dye Injection: A catheter is inserted through an artery, typically from the groin or wrist, to the coronary arteries, where contrast dye is injected to visualize the vessels on X-rays.
- X-ray Imaging: X-ray images capture the structure of the coronary arteries, any blockages, and the blood flow patterns as the dye passes through.
- Real-Time Evaluation: The cardiologist assesses the degree of vessel narrowing, blockages, and overall heart health.
Preparation:
- Fasting: Patients need to fast before the procedure to ensure clear imaging.
- Medication Review: It’s important to inform your healthcare provider about any medications you’re taking.
- Informed Consent: Understanding the procedure’s risks and benefits is crucial before giving consent.
Risks and Complications:
- Rare but Possible: Complications such as bleeding, blood vessel injury, heart attack, infection, irregular heart rhythms, kidney damage (from the contrast dye), and stroke can occur, but are uncommon.
- Risk Management: Although risks are present, major complications are rare.
Results and Treatment:
- Guiding Treatment: The angiogram results help determine the best treatment approach, which may involve lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty (using a balloon to open blocked arteries), or stent placement.
- Precise Intervention: Coronary angiography allows for accurate and targeted treatments.
Coronary Angiography: Unveiling Heart Blood Vessels
