Definition
Coronary angiography is a persistent diagnostic procedure used to study the blood vessels or chambers of the heart. This kind of diagnostic is conducted by inserting a catheter (tube) into a groin area (upper thigh) or arm. The tip of the catheter is positioned either at the beginning of the arteries supplying the heart or in the heart. A special fluid commonly called contrast medium or dye is injected. This particular fluid is visible via an X-ray. The pictures that are obtained through the X-ray are called angiograms.
Reasons why you should go for Coronary Angiography
Your doctor will advise you for Coronary Angiography when:
- You read symptoms of coronary artery disease such as severe chest pain which is termed as angina in medical terminology
- You experience inexperienced pain in your jaw, neck, arm or chest for which other testing becomes doubtful
- You don’t have any symptom yet other tests have suggested you about having heart abnormalities
- You need to undergo an irrelevant surgery which may involve risk of having heart problem during the same.
- You have plans of undergoing a heart valve surgery
- You are suffering from
congenital heart disease
- You have problems of heart failure because of congestion
- You are sure that you are suffering from other heart or blood vessel problems or when you are firm of hurtful chest injuries.
Risks involved
Coronary Angiography rarely causes serious problems. However, some complications may rise out which include:
- Pain, infection or bleeding problems in the arm or groin area or neck where the tube was inserted
- Blood hemorrhage
- Injury to blood vessels. It is a rare complicacy caused by the catheter (tube) poking or scraping a hole in blood vessel which is threaded up to the heart.
- Sometimes the used dye causes an allergic reaction
Pre and Post Diagnostic Requirements
The Pre diagnostic requirements for Coronary Angiography include the following:
- Avoid eating or drinking 8 hours before the test starts
- An overnight stay in the hospital one day before the test
- Conduct the test in proper hospital gown
- Don’t forget to sign a consent form before the test
- If you have any sort of allergy tell your doctor in advance
The post diagnostic requirements for Coronary Angiography include the following:
- You will be relocated to a special care area. You will rest and be kept under observation for several hours or overnight.
- Under observation phase your movement will be restricted in order to avoid bleeding from the spot where the tube was inserted.
- Meanwhile nurses will check your heart-rate and blood pressure regularly. They will also check if there is any bleeding or injury from the catheter insertion site
- You will find a small bruise at the site where the tube was inserted for Coronary Angiography. The particular area will feel sore or tender for about a week.
- In some cases the following problems may develop post diagnosis :
1. Constant bleeding at the site which cannot be stopped with a small bandage
2. Unusual swelling, redness or pain or other signs of infection near or at the insertion area.
Be sure to immediately consult your doctor if the above cases occur post diagnosis of Coronary Angiography.
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