Coronary angiography is a minimally invasive procedure and test, which allows doctors to detect any narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the heart's arteries. It involves injecting dye into the blood vessels of the heart, followed by taking X-ray images of the heart. It is a fast and effective way to provide definitive evidence of any abnormalities that may be present.
Coronary angiography offers several advantages in diagnosing and managing coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to other diagnostic tests:
Coronary angiography provides detailed and accurate information about the extent and severity of blockages in the coronary arteries, helping cardiologists plan appropriate treatment strategies.
Unlike other imaging tests, such as CT scans or stress tests, coronary angiography allows direct visualisation of the coronary arteries, enabling precise identification of blockages or abnormalities.
The results of coronary angiography can guide treatment decisions, such as the need for angioplasty, stent placement, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, based on the severity and location of blockages.
In cases where significant blockages are detected during angiography, immediate treatment options such as angioplasty and stenting can be performed at the same setting, avoiding the need for the patient to come back another day for the angioplasty.
Coronary angiography provides a comprehensive evaluation of the coronary arteries, including the ability to assess the function of the heart muscle and the presence of any congenital anomalies or other structural abnormalities.
Coronary angiography can help in risk stratification, identifying patients at high risk of future cardiac events who may benefit from aggressive medical therapy or invasive interventions.
Invasive procedure: Involves insertion of a small catheter into the blood vessels.
Radiation exposure: Uses X-rays.
- Allergic Reactions: Individuals with known allergies to X-ray contrast or iodine compounds should not undergo coronary angiography, as it involves the injection of dye into the blood vessels.
- Unstable Health Conditions: Patients with unstable health conditions, such as severe heart failure, severe respiratory failure, or severe kidney failure, may not be suitable candidates for coronary angiography due to the potential risks involved.
- Bleeding Disorders: Individuals with bleeding disorders or who are on blood-thinning medications may have an increased risk of bleeding complications during or after the procedure, making them unsuitable candidates for coronary angiography.
- Pregnancy: Coronary angiography is generally not recommended for pregnant women due to the potential risk to the fetus from the X-ray exposure and contrast dye.
- Renal Impairment: Patients with severe kidney impairment may be at an increased risk of complications from the contrast dye used in coronary angiography, and alternative diagnostic methods may be considered.
- Unstable Angina: Individuals experiencing unstable angina, a type of chest pain that occurs at rest or with minimal exertion, may not be suitable candidates for coronary angiography until their condition stabilises.
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