Angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in your heart.
Angiography recommended if:
shows signs of a blocked or narrow artery, such as abnormal stress test results
Experiences new or unusual chest pain
Had a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure
Precautions
The procedure lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
After the procedure you may need to stay at the hospital overnight if required
How the Test is Performed?
Coronary angiography is sometimes performed with cardiac catheterization. This is a procedure that measures pressures in the heart chambers.
Before the test starts, you will be given a mild sedative to help you relax.
An area of your body (the arm or groin) is cleaned and numbed with a local numbing medicine (anesthetic). The cardiologist passes a thin hollow tube, called a catheter, through an artery and carefully moves it up into the heart. X-ray images help the doctor position the catheter.
Once the catheter is in place, dye (contrast material) is injected into the catheter. X-ray images are taken to see how the dye moves through the artery. The dye helps highlight any blockages in blood flow.
The procedure most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
After the Process
After the test, you’ll be taken to a recovery ward where you’ll be asked to lie still for a few hours to prevent bleeding from the cut.
You’ll usually be able to go home the same day, although sometimes you may need to stay in hospital overnight.
It may be possible to let you know the results of the test before you go home. However, the X-rays often need to be studied in detail and the results are not available for a few weeks.
