Coronary arteries carry oxygenated blood to the heart. A clinician uses coronary angiography to examine for restricted or blocked coronary arteries and assess their structure and anatomy. People with blocked coronary arteries are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD), angina, or heart failure. Blocked coronary arteries can potentially result in a heart attack.
Coronary angiography is a test that doctors use to examine the coronary arteries. It can help diagnose some heart diseases. In this article, we will learn more about CAG.
What Is Coronary Angiography?
Coronary angiograms are regarded as the gold standard for identifying coronary artery disease, which is caused by the buildup of fat, tartar, or blood clots along the coronary artery walls, resulting in constricted or blocked coronary arteries and blockage of blood flow to the heart.
This narrowing produces chest pain, dizziness, intense sweating, and shortness of breath, finally leading to a heart attack. Concerningly, the vast majority of persons with coronary artery disease do not show any symptoms. As people get older, fat accumulates in their arteries, eventually leading to an abrupt myocardial infarction and death.
Who Needs Angiography?
- Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fatty substances (plaque) that obstruct arteries, so people suffering from it need to get it done.
- Congenital heart disease is defined as one or more structural issues with the heart that exist at birth People with it need to get it done
- Coronary artery disease is a constriction of the blood vessels that feed blood to the heart. If someone is suffering from it, they need to get it done.
- Heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump blood as effectively as it should. If any person is facing heart issues, they may get CAG.
- Heart valve disease is the narrowing or leaking of one or more heart valves, which are the tubes that govern blood flow through the heart. To check the condition, doctors may prescribe CAG.
Coronary Angiography Procedure
Before the Procedure
Patients will be asked whether they have any allergic responses to medications or foods, particularly X-ray contrast or iodine compounds. The patient should inform the doctor about their allergies.
Patients may be required to fast six hours before their angiogram. In general, they should continue taking all of the medications until the doctor tells the patient differently. If the surgery is scheduled for the afternoon, the patient may eat a full breakfast.
The day before the surgery, attempt to obtain a decent night’s sleep because sleep affects your heart in some way. If required, request sleeping medication.
During the Procedure
A local anesthetic will be administered to numb the region of injection; the patient may be slightly drowsy but aware. A soft plastic tube, about 2 mm in diameter, will then be placed into a blood vessel in the groin or wrist of the patient. This tube will be guided toward the heart using X-rays.
Once the catheter has entered the blood vessels of the heart, dye will be injected into both the right and left blood vessels. Moving images of the arteries would be captured using X-rays. Another tube may be inserted into the left heart to assess its function.
After the Procedure
The doctor will review the results and advise the patient on the best course of action. Following the procedure, the patient may be discharged the same day. If the artery is severely narrowed, the cardiologist may perform CAG immediately following the angiography.
Otherwise, patients will be asked to come back another day for more test details of coronary angiography and also for the treatment of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients may eat foods good for the heart post the procedure.
Benefits And Risks Of Coronary Angiography
Benefits of the procedure
Accurate Assessment
CAG gives extensive and reliable information on the size and severity of blockages in the coronary arteries, allowing cardiologists to devise effective treatment regimens.
Direct Visualisation
Unlike other imaging techniques, such as CT scans or stress tests, CAG provides direct viewing of the coronary arteries, allowing for the accurate diagnosis of blockages or anomalies.
Immediate Intervention
When severe blockages are discovered during angiography, rapid treatment options such as angioplasty and stenting can be performed in the same setting, eliminating the need for the patient to return the following day for the angioplasty.
Comprehensive Evaluation
CAG is a thorough examination of the coronary arteries, including the ability to examine heart muscle function and the existence of any congenital defects or other structural abnormalities.
Effective Risk Stratification
This process can aid in risk stratification by identifying individuals who are at high risk of future cardiac events and may benefit from intensive medication therapy or invasive procedures.
Guidelines for Treatment
CAG results can help guide treatment options, such as whether to do angioplasty, stent implantation, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, depending on the degree and location of the blockages.
Risk Factors of Coronary Angiography
Allergy
Individuals allergic to X-ray contrast or iodine compounds should avoid angiography, which involves injecting dye into the blood vessels.
Unstable Health Conditions
Patients with unstable health conditions, such as serious heart failure, severe respiratory failure, or severe kidney failure, may not be good candidates for CAG due to the hazards associated.
Pregnancy
It is generally not suggested for pregnant women due to the fetal danger from X-ray exposure and contrast dye.
Renal Impairment
Patients with significant kidney impairment may be at a higher risk of problems from the contrast dye used in CAG; hence, alternate diagnostic approaches should be considered.
Unstable Angina
People who have unstable angina, a form of chest discomfort that occurs at rest or with little exercise, may not be good candidates for angiography until their condition improves.
Bleeding Disorders
People who have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners may be more likely to experience bleeding issues during or after the procedure, making them unsuitable candidates for angiography.
Conclusion
A doctor does a coronary angiography to determine whether a person’s coronary arteries are narrowed or obstructed. Angiograms involve a doctor employing contrast dye to highlight a patient’s coronary arteries. The doctor will then take X-rays of the patient’s coronary arteries to check for blockages.
Coronary angiograms can help doctors diagnose a variety of heart diseases. Coronary angiograms are useful for doctors to consult before performing some surgical procedures or placing stents for blockages.
The Cardiovascular Care Center in Port Charlotte is run by a group of skilled cardiologists who are prepared to diagnose and treat complex and challenging coronary artery disease.
FAQs
Is an Angiogram a Surgical Procedure or a Test?
An angiogram is a diagnostic test that uses imaging to show the doctor how blood flows through your blood vessels or heart.
Does Angiography Remove Blockages?
No, angiograms do not eliminate obstructions. It’s an imaging-based approach for detecting blood vessel blockages. If a blockage is discovered, a doctor may offer angioplasty or other procedures.
What Is the Age Restriction for Angiograms?
There is no set age for angiography, but the decision to conduct it is based on the patient’s condition.
Is Coronary Angiography Painful?
Coronary angiography is normally painless, but you may feel pressure or push throughout the process.