Coronary angiography Q&A 

 

Will I feel any pain during coronary angiography?
You shouldn't feel any pain during the procedure. You may feel a sharp scratch as a local anaesthetic is injected at the site of the catheter insertion and you might feel some pressure when the catheter is inserted and removed.

Some patients experience mild chest pain during the test, but it shouldn't last long. Tell your cardiologist or nurse if you experience any chest pain.

What causes coronary artery disease?
Coronary heart disease is caused by a number of factors:

 

  • Genetics - coronary heart disease can be inherited
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Being overweight or obese
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol and diet high in saturated fat
  • Lack of exercise
  • Stress

What is a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)?
Sometimes during a coronary angiography procedure, a cardiologist may need to perform a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA or coronary angioplasty) to open a small blockage. This is done by inflating a balloon on the end of the catheter, which compresses the fatty deposit against the wall of the artery (2).

When the balloon inflates, a tiny wire mesh tube called a stent covering the balloon also expands inside the artery space. A stent is designed to hold the walls of the artery open and maintain the improved blood flow to the heart when the balloon is deflated and the catheter removed. The stent will remain there permanently.

What is a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)?
Whether your cardiologist decides if you need surgery during your coronary angiography depends very much on the type of heart disease you have and your general medical condition.

A surgical procedure called a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) may be necessary in the following cases (1):

  • If the main artery supplying blood to the left side of your heart is blocked or narrowed
  • If your heart muscle is weak
  • If you have blocked blood vessels smaller than the catheter or you have multiple blockages

A PTCA or CABG may also be performed if a patient is admitted on an emergency basis to manage myocardial infarction (heart attack) (2).

 

Refs:
1) Mayo Clinic
2) NHS Choices

 
 

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