Coronarography
Coronary angiography is a diagnostic procedure that allows for examining the condition of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle).
Coronarography
Coronary angiography is a method of studying the state of the heart vessels, which allows doctors to accurately determine the nature, location, and degree of narrowing of the coronary artery. It is a standard method for the diagnostics of coronary heart disease which helps to determine further treatment procedures (e.g., whether coronary artery stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are necessary, whether the optimal drug therapy is sufficient).
If you
- suffer from coronary heart disease which is manifested by angina pectoris (pains, discomfort behind the sternum, shortness of breath during physical exercise);
- suffered a myocardial infarction;
- have a deterioration of the pumping function of the heart (reduced ejection fraction);
- have serious heart rhythm disorders (you experience interruptions in the work of the heart, the heart beats very fast or very slowly);
- are scheduled to have any kind of surgery on the heart or aorta
your doctor will recommend that you undergo this procedure.
Qualified doctors of our Center perform coronary angiography in Lviv 24/7.
How is coronary angiography performed?
During coronary angiography, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery of an arm or leg through a small puncture in the skin. Being monitored by X-ray, the catheter reaches the coronary arteries. A radiopaque substance is injected into the vessel through the catheter. The contrast is mixed with the blood and moves along with it through the vessel. This process is recorded on video and analyzed by an interventional cardiologist. The patient is lying on their back, conscious and able to talk to the medical staff. We often ask patients how they feel and ask them to let us know if they feel any discomfort. The procedure usually lasts about 40 minutes. However, each heart is special and the time needed to assess it can vary.
How to prepare for undergoing coronary angiography?
Before undergoing coronary angiography, you will be examined by a cardiologist.
The doctor conducts
- electrocardiography (ECG),
- ultrasound examination of the heart (ECHO of the heart),
- laboratory tests (to determine the level of creatinine, urea, and other indicators if necessary).
Before undergoing coronarography
- do not eat for two hours before the procedure,
- take all the medicines that you usually take.
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Часті питання
- You can wear whatever you want when going to the hospital. During the procedure, you
- will be dressed in a hospital gown.
- Leave your valuables at home.
- One day before the arranged date, your doctor or nurse will tell you what you can and сan eat or drink before the procedure.
- Ask your doctor what medications you should take on the day of the procedure.
- Tell your doctor and/or nurses if you are allergic to anything.
- injected during the procedure.
- The procedure is performed in the X-ray operating room. This room is cool and dimly lit.
- You will lie on a special table above which you will see a large camera and several
- monitors.
- When the contrast medium is injected, you may feel heat or notice redness for a few
- seconds. This is normal – these sensations will quickly disappear.
- Catheters and an introducer are removed from the blood vessel. The doctor will press
- the puncture site with a finger and apply a compression bandage.
- The nurse will check your bandage regularly to prevent bleeding.
- After a puncture in the leg, you need to lie in bed for several hours.
- The puncture site may be sensitive.
- You will need to drink plenty of fluid to clear the contrast material from your body.
