Angiography

What does an angiography do?

Angiography is an imaging test that uses X-rays to view your body’s blood vessels. The X-rays provided by an angiography are called angiograms. This test is used to study narrow, blocked, enlarged, or malformed arteries or veins in many parts of your body, including your brain, heart, abdomen, and legs.

How do they do angiography?

To perform a traditional angiogram, a doctor inserts a long, narrow tube called a catheter into an artery located in the arm, upper thigh, or groin. They will inject contrast dye into the catheter and take X-rays of the blood vessels. The contrast dye makes blood vessels more visible on X-ray images.

What is angiography and how is it done?

A coronary angiogram is an X-ray of the arteries in the heart. This shows the extent and severity of any heart disease, and can help you to figure out how well your heart is working.

How long will an angiography take?

You can expect the test to last half an hour, although it can sometimes take longer. During your procedure, you’ll be monitored by a heart monitor that records your heart rate and rhythm. If you feel unwell or experience discomfort at any time, you should tell a member of the hospital staff.

If you do have a stent put in (angioplasty) during your angiography, it will take a bit longer.

Risks involved with angiography

Talk to your doctor, nurse and other health professional about the risks and benefits for you, and any concerns you may have. Your healthcare team can give you more information about your individual circumstances and level of risk.

Minor complications may include:

Bleeding under the skin at the wound site – this should improve after a few days, but please contact your GP if you are concerned
Bruising – it is common to have a bruise from the catheter for a few weeks
Allergy to the contrast dye used, causing symptoms such as a rash – you should discuss any allergies that you have with your cardiologist before having the procedure.

More serious complications are uncommon, but may include:

Damage to the artery in the arm or groin from the catheter, possibly affecting blood supply to the limb
Heart attack
Stroke
Damage to the kidneys caused by the contrast dye
Tissue damage caused by X-ray radiation if the procedure is prolonged
Serious bleeding
Death.

You are more likely to develop complications based on:

Your age – the older you are, the higher your risk
If the procedure was planned or is emergency treatment – emergency treatment is always riskier because there is less time to plan it and the patient is unwell to start with
If you have kidney disease – the dye used during an angioplasty can occasionally cause further damage to your kidneys
If you have one or more blocked coronary arteries
If you have a history of serious heart disease.