Angiogram in Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
What is angiogram?
Visualisation of the blood vessels of the body with the help of x-rays after injecting a contrast which is usually made of iodine is called angiography. When it involves the vessels of the heart, it is called coronary angiography or coronary angiogram
How is coronary angiogram done?
A long narrow tube(catheter) is either inserted from the artery at the wrist or of the thigh(groin) and taken upto the heart. Here it is hooked against the coronary arteries which courses over the heart muscles. An iodine based contrast dye is injected and the opacification of the vessels is visualised live or as pictures with the help of x-rays.
Coronary angiogram is a relatively safe procedure when done by experts and the test per se should not take more than 15min.
There is a very small risk of damage to the kidneys due to the dye and exposure to x-rays which can be harmful. Good hydration before the test and judicious use of x-ray exposure can greatly reduce this risk. Other complications are very very uncommon.
Who should be subjected to a coronary angiogram?
Those who have had heart attack or typical chest pain or a positive TMT can get to know the severity of the block in the blood vessels and it will guide the cardiologist in patient management with respect to doing a corrective revasuclarisation procedure or to manage with medications alone.
The test can only be done in a tertiary hospital where there is a cathlab
Frequently Asked Questions
An angiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses X-ray imaging and a special contrast dye to examine the blood vessels of the heart. It helps identify blockages or narrowing in the coronary arteries.
An angiogram is performed to diagnose coronary artery disease, identify blocked or narrowed arteries, investigate chest pain, assess abnormal stress test results, or evaluate heart conditions before planning treatment.
An angiogram is generally not painful. A local anesthetic is used to numb the insertion site, and most patients experience only mild pressure or discomfort during the procedure.
A coronary angiogram usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Additional time may be needed for preparation and recovery.
Your doctor may advise you to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the procedure and review your current medications. Follow your cardiologist's instructions carefully to ensure a safe examination.
After the procedure, you will be monitored for a few hours. Most patients can return home the same day or the next day, depending on their condition and the access site used for the angiogram.
Your doctor may advise you to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the procedure and review your current medications. Follow your cardiologist's instructions carefully to ensure a safe examination.
If a significant blockage is detected, your cardiologist will discuss the most appropriate treatment options, which may include medications, angioplasty with stent placement, or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), depending on the severity of the blockage.
