Coronary Angiography - You Need To Know

Coronary Angiography

I have seen many patients come with a Atypical chest pain that could be due to clogged arteries. And your doctor mostly advice for "CAG"_Coronary Angiography that is a procedure, which is done to examine the coronary arteries of the patient’s heart.

In which contrast agent is injected in the blood stream via a catheter (thin plastic tube), which highlights the blood vessels.The blood vessels materialize in white on the angiogram as they move. Then a few X-Rays are taken for further studies about your heart.

Why Coronary Angiography Need To Be Performed?

With the following reasons coronary angiography is needed to perform like :

1. if you are going with Chest pain or any kind of discomfort.
2. if you are experiencing Unusual chest pain even when all the tests are normal.
3. if you have a recent heart attack.
4. If you have history of Coronary thrombosis or Blood clots
5. If you are going to have a surgery in which you might have high risk of getting a heart attack or other problems related to heart

Who will performs Coronary Angiography?

Coronary angiography is performed by an experienced cardiologist with a radiographer in Cath-Lab which is looks like a operation theater and there will be a nurse who stays with the patient.

Few Questions You Should Ask To Your Doctor?

1. What information will you get from the angiogram.
2. What risks can I expect from undergoing an angiogram?
3. Where will the catheter be inserted (Artery in the groin or wrist)?
4. What will be limitations after the procedure? 

How long does it take?

Usually it takes 30 to 60 minutes to be performed. It depends on how complex the examination is. Furthermore, the patient may be required to stay in the hospital for up to 6 to 8 hours after the procedure completed.

How to Care at Home ?

After you return to your home, you may notice a bruise in the area where catheter is inserted. It is not any warning sign to report your doctor, even if the bruising area is large. Usually, it will clears up with a period of one to three weeks.

You should call to your doctor or nurse if you have

1. Bleeding, drainage, or painful swelling at the catheter insertion site
2. Swelling or weakness and/or numbness in the leg or arm in which the catheter was inserted
3. Weakness of the arm and leg after period of time
4. fever