Coronary Angiography
Coronary angiography is an X-ray test that uses a special dye to reveal narrowings or blockages in the arteries that supply the heart. A thin tube is passed from the wrist or groin to the heart, dye is injected, and moving X-ray images show how well blood flows through the coronary arteries.
Overview
What is coronary angiography?
Coronary angiography is an X-ray test that uses a special dye to reveal narrowings or blockages in the arteries that supply the heart. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is passed from the wrist or groin to the heart, dye is injected, and moving X-ray images show how well blood flows through the coronary arteries.
Why is it done?
It is considered the most accurate way to confirm coronary artery disease. Doctors may recommend it for chest pain (angina) or breathlessness, when other heart tests are abnormal, after a heart attack, or to plan treatment such as stenting or bypass surgery.
Test Details
How do I prepare?
You will usually be asked not to eat or drink for several hours beforehand. Tell the team about all your medicines — especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines — and about any allergies (particularly to contrast dye or iodine) and any kidney problems, because the dye is processed by the kidneys.
What happens during the procedure?
You are awake but relaxed, with local anaesthetic at the access site in the wrist or groin. The catheter is guided to the heart and dye is injected — you may feel a brief warm flush. The test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Results and Follow-Up
What happens afterwards, and what do the results show?
The access site is pressed and rested, and most people go home the same or the next day. The images show whether the coronary arteries are narrowed and where. If a significant narrowing is found, angioplasty and a stent are sometimes performed during the same procedure; your team explains the findings and the next steps.
Additional Common Questions
Does coronary angiography hurt?
Most people feel only a brief sting from the local anaesthetic and some pressure at the insertion site. Moving the catheter is usually painless, and the dye injection may cause a short-lived warm flush. Tell the team if you feel chest pain at any point.
How long does the procedure take?
The test itself commonly takes about 30 to 60 minutes, though it can be longer if treatment such as a stent is carried out at the same time. Preparation and recovery add several more hours to your visit.
Will I be asleep during the test?
No. Coronary angiography is usually done while you are awake but relaxed with a mild sedative and local anaesthetic, not a general anaesthetic. This allows you to follow instructions, such as holding your breath, during the X-rays.
What is the difference between angiography and angioplasty?
Angiography is the diagnostic test that takes pictures of the arteries. Angioplasty is a treatment that uses a balloon, and usually a stent, to open a narrowed artery. They use the same catheter technique and are sometimes done in one session.
Sources
This health topic is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual situation. See our medical disclaimer.