Coronary Angiography: the investigation that reveals blockages in the heart's arteries

When doctors suspect a serious narrowing of the coronary arteries, they sometimes need to see directly where the blockage is and how much it affects blood flow to the heart.

Coronary angiography is an invasive procedure in which a catheter is inserted through an artery, usually at the wrist or groin. A contrast agent is injected through this catheter, and the resulting X-ray images show areas where the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, as well as the extent of the lesions.

Based on the results, doctors determine the appropriate treatment: medication, angioplasty with stent placement, or, when the situation requires it, coronary artery bypass surgery. If the patient's anatomy allows and there is a medical indication, angioplasty may be performed in the same session as the coronary angiography, so that diagnosis is immediately followed by treatment.

Article supported by SANADOR, more details at www.sanador.ro.