Question 1

1) What is angiography?

Accepted Answer

Coronary angiography is a noninvasive test that uses X-rays in the form of computed tomography to diagnose coronary artery disease. Angiography provides high-resolution images of the blood vessels supplying the heart, allowing identification of narrowing or blockages caused by plaque.

Question 2

2) What is the difference between angiography and angioplasty?

Accepted Answer

Angiography is a procedure that allows physicians to look at blood vessels in great detail using X-rays. If the physicians identify a narrowed portion (a condition called stenosis) of a blood vessel during the angiography procedure, they may stretch or widen it straightaway using a procedure called an angioplasty.So, An angiogram is a test that is used to find out which arteries supplying the heart have become narrowed and angioplasty is a procedure to expand narrow arteries that may follow on from an angiogram.

Question 3

3) Who should consider a Coronary angiography?

Accepted Answer

Patients who should consider a coronary angiography include those with:

Shortness of breath, chest pain or other symptoms of coronary artery disease
Unclear or inconclusive stress test results
A strong family history of early heart disease
Multiple other risk factors for coronary artery disease (hypertension, cholesterol abnormality, diabetes, smoking.

Question 4

4) Is angiography a painful procedure?

Accepted Answer

Like any blood-related procedure, an angiogram involves the use of needles and some poking and prodding, but any discomfort from the procedure is usually minor.

Question 5

5) What are the benefits of Coronary angiography?

Accepted Answer

Provides high-definition 3-D images of the arteries supplying the heart and blockages at the earliest stages when they can be treated most effectively.
Most accurate noninvasive diagnostic test for coronary artery disease.
Measures both calcified and noncalcified plaques, and noncalcified plaques are more prone to rupture and cause heart attacks than 4.calcified plaques. By assessing both types of plaque, coronary angiography analyzes your risk for a heart attack.
Monitor the effectiveness of therapy since noncalcified plaques may shrink with effective treatment.

Question 6

6) What dye is used for an angiogram?

Accepted Answer

Contrast dye is used for an angiogram. It allows doctors to see the exact site of blocked blood vessels and also to see certain problems with organs more clearly.

Question 7

7) How Is Coronary Angiogram performed?

Accepted Answer

The Coronary CTA is performed in the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (the Cath Lab) which is very similar to an operating theatre but with a special x-ray machine, and the staff in the Cath Lab are usually nurses and technologists. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia. It is a bit painful when the anesthetic goes in but the pain usually doesn't last long. If it really hurts, then you should let that know to your doctor. You may be given some sedating medicine through the intravenous cannula to make you feel more relaxed. There will be one or two small cuts in the skin in the groin, about 3 millimeters long, and usually, the right groin is used. Tubes will be placed in the artery or vein in the groin. An x-ray, which is mounted above you and will move around to take pictures from different angles, is used to guide the catheters to the right place. A dye is then injected to show up the arteries on the x-ray, and you may be asked to take a deep breath and stop breathing just when the x-ray films are being taken.

Question 8

8) How long does the procedure take?

Accepted Answer

An angiogram typically takes from forty-five minutes to one hour. You will lie on a table, awake but mildly sedated, with a local anesthetic will be applied to numb an area on your upper leg or on your arm or wrist, and this initial needle prick will probably be the only pain you will feel throughout the procedure.

Question 9

9) What are the risks?

Accepted Answer

As with most procedures done on the heart and blood vessels, a coronary angiogram has some risks, such as radiation exposure from the X-rays used. Though major complications are rare, potential risks and complications include:

Heart attack
Stroke
Injury to the catheterized artery
Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Allergic reactions to the dye or to the other medications used during the procedure
Kidney damage
Excessive bleeding
Infection

Question 10

10) What happens after the angiogram?

Accepted Answer

In some patients, a special plug called Angioseal is inserted at the end of the angiogram to seal the artery and stop bleeding. If this is used you the patients are able to sit up immediately and get out of bed in two hours. If this cannot be used they are moved out of the Cath Lab and the sheath is removed from their groin. Pressure is applied for 10-15 minutes to stop bleeding from the artery or vein, and after they are returned to the ward, they are made to stay lying flat for 4 hours and in bed for 6 hours.

Question 11

11) How much does an angiogram cost in India?

Accepted Answer

The cost of Angiogram in India varies across different cities and hospitals.

Cost of Angiogram in India
CITY	COST
Cost of Angiogram in Mumbai	INR 15000- INR 25000
Cost of Angiogram in Bangalore	INR 14000- INR 24000
Cost of Angiogram in Delhi	INR 14000- INR 24000
Cost of Angiogram in Chennai	INR 12000- INR 22000

Angiography

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Risks

After Procedure

Angiography from one of the best multi-speciality hospital: S L Raheja Hospital Mahim, Mahim West, India

Dr. Haresh Mehta

Dr. Shekhar Ambardekar

Dr. Nilesh Gautam