Coronary Angiography

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Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with a particular interest in the arteries, veins, and heart chambers. It is a type of X-ray used to check blood vessels as blood vessels may not show clearly on a normal x-ray, so a special dye is injected into your blood. This causes your blood vessels to be highlighted, allowing your doctor to observe better. Angiography is used to check the health of your blood vessels and how blood flows through them.


A coronary angiogram is a procedure that uses X-ray imaging to see your heart's blood vessels. The test is generally done to see if there's a restriction in blood flow going to the heart. Coronary angiograms are part of a general group of procedures known as heart (cardiac) catheterizations.


Why is it done?

  • Symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain (angina)

  • Pain in your chest, jaw, neck, or arm that can't be explained by other tests

  • New or increasing chest pain (unstable angina)

  • A heart defect you were born with (congenital heart disease)

  • Abnormal results on a noninvasive heart stress test

  • Other blood vessel problems or a chest injury

  • A heart valve problem that requires surgery.

Before your angiogram starts, your healthcare team will review your medical history, including allergies and medications you take. The team may perform a physical exam and check your vital signs — blood pressure and pulse.

You'll also empty your bladder and change into a hospital gown. You may have to remove contact lenses, eyeglasses, jewelry, and hairpins.

During procedure

For the procedure, you lie on your back on an X-ray table. You'll be very sleepy and may drift off to sleep during the procedure, but you'll still be able to be easily awakened to follow any instructions.

Electrodes on your chest monitor your heart throughout the procedure. A blood pressure cuff tracks your blood pressure and another device, a pulse oximeter, measures the amount of oxygen in your blood.

A small amount of hair may be shaved from your groin or arm where a flexible tube (catheter) will be inserted. The area is washed and disinfected and then numbed with an injection of local anesthetic.

A small incision is made at the entry site, and a short plastic tube (sheath) is inserted into your artery. The catheter is inserted through the sheath into your blood vessel and carefully threaded into your heart or coronary arteries.

Threading the catheter shouldn't cause pain, and you shouldn't feel it moving through your body. Depending on what your doctor discovers during your angiogram, you may have additional catheter procedures at the same time, such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement to open up a narrowed artery. Other noninvasive tests, such as ultrasound, may help your doctor evaluate identified blockages.

Having an angiogram takes about one hour, although it may be longer, especially if combined with other cardiac catheterization procedures.


After the procedure

When the angiogram is over, the catheter is removed from your arm or groin and the incision is closed with manual pressure, a clamp, or a small plug.

You'll be taken to a recovery area for observation and monitoring. When your condition is stable, you return to your own room, where you're monitored regularly.

You'll need to lie flat for several hours to avoid bleeding if the catheter was inserted in the groin. During this time, pressure may be applied to the incision to prevent bleeding and promote healing.

You may be able to go home the same day, or you may have to remain in the hospital overnight.




Accounting for thorough experience and practice, Dr. Aritra Konar is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata. He has been deemed one of the best cardiologists in Kolkata for his expertise lies in Coronary (femoral & radial routes) angiography, Coronary angioplasty (including primary angioplasty), Peripheral angiography and angioplasty, Permanent pacemaker, ICD, CRT implantation, BMV, BPV, Right heart catheterization and so on, in procedural skills. His guidance is trusted and so are his skills.

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