What is Coronary Angiography?

Coronary Angiography is the specialized test to examine the state and functioning of the arteries in the heart. The coronary arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the various parts of the body. When a patient suffers from chest pain, also known as angina, it becomes necessary to get an angiography done. Angiographies are done to study the biology of blood vessels like the arteries and the veins. In other words, it is the inspection of the condition inside the 'tubular structures' in the body.

The process involves the use of a fluorescent dye and x-ray examination.

X-rays of the chest are taken. But soft tissues, the 'inside' area of arteries, etc., are not clear in a regular x-ray and hence the contrast agent, i.e. the radio opaque material is inserted in the blood stream. This is done with the help of a device called the catheter which is a thin, narrow, tube-like structure. Now, the images are studied to understand corrective measures needed to re-instill proper functioning of the heart.

Coronary angiography is performed by the specialized surgeons in this field in a hospital or specialized laboratory. You will stay awake so you can follow your doctor’s instructions, but you will get medicine to relax you during the procedure. In this test doctor will make you lie at your back on a movable table. After all, cardiac catheterization procedure is referred for coronary angiography. For this, your doctor will clean and numb an area on the arm, groin or upper thigh, or neck before making a small hole in a blood vessel. A catheter tube will be inserted by your doctor inside your blood vessel.

An X-ray will be taken by your doctor for placing catheter inside the coronary artery. After the catheter is in place, your doctor will inject the contrast dye through the catheter to highlight blockages and will take x ray pictures of your heart. After detecting any blockage doctor can use per cutaneous coronary intervention, also known as coronary angioplasty, for improvement in blood flow in your heart.

After coronary angiography, your doctor will remove the catheter, possibly use a closure device to close the blood vessel, and close and bandage the opening on your arm, groin, or neck. After inserting catheter, you can experience sourness. After that you have to stay in the hospital for maximum one day. During this time, your heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored. Doctor will resist your movement to stop the bleeding from the incision where catheter was placed. You will need a ride home after the procedure because of the medicines or anesthesia you received.

How the Test is Performed

Coronary Angiography is often done along with cardiac catheterization. This is a procedure which measures pressures in the heart chambers.

Before the test starts, you will be given a mild sedative to help you relax. An area of your body (the arm or groin) is cleaned and numbed with a local numbing medicine (anesthetic). Although, cardiologist passes a thin hollow tube which is also known as catheter, this is passed through an artery and pushes it to the heart. Doctor get help from the x-ray images to put the catheter at right place. At a moment when catheter is in place, then dye will be injected into the catheter. To check out the movement of dye an X-ray image is taken. The dye helps highlight any blockages in blood flow.

The procedure most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes.

After performing the test doctor decide the further treatment to be held for the patient accordingly.

Coronary Angiography costs minimum for Rs.16,000 to maximum Rs.32,000.