Coronary Angiography
What is coronary angiography?
Coronary angiography is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting contrast dye into the coronary arteries—the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle—and using X-ray imaging to visualise any blockages or narrowing in the arteries. It provides detailed images of the coronary arteries, allowing healthcare providers to assess the degree of narrowing or blockage and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Why do I need a coronary angiography?
If you’ve experienced chest pain, cardiac arrest or abnormal results from your electrocardiogram (ECG) we may employ coronary angiography to diagnose ischemic heart disease.
Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart is deprived of oxygen due to reduced blood supply, often resulting from artery blockages. Addressing these blockages is crucial as they provoke chest pain and increase the risk of heart attack.
Upon detecting a blockage, the specialists at Cardiology Specialists Melbourne may perform angioplasty and inserting a stent into the affected artery to alleviate the obstruction.
You might need a coronary angiography if you have:
- Symptoms of coronary disease
- Chest pain
- A heart valve problem
- Problems with your blood vessels
- Congenital heart disease
- A chest injury
- An unexplained pain in your chest, jaw, neck, or arm
Coronary angiography is associated with a small risk of complications. Your cardiologist may decide to utilise less invasive procedures instead, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or a stress test.
What can I expect from the angiography?
You will be positioned comfortably on a specialised table allowing access to your chest and head areas. A mild sedative will be administered to promote relaxation during the procedure.
The interventional cardiologist will inject contrast dye to enhance the visibility of your blood vessels followed by X-rays to evaluate blood flow and identify any blockages.
The duration of the test typically ranges from 20 to 45 minutes depending on complexity and whether a stent insertion is necessary, which can be performed concurrently.
After the angiography you may experience minor bruising or tenderness at the access site. It’s advisable to refrain from strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 2-3 days following the procedure. If a stent is inserted simultaneously, recovery times and recommendations may differ and personalised guidance will be provided by your cardiologist.
After the angiography
You may experience minor bruising or tenderness at the access site. It’s advisable to refrain from strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 2-3 days following the procedure. If a stent is inserted simultaneously, recovery times and recommendations may differ, and personalised guidance will be provided by your cardiologist.
