Angiogram

(See also: cardiac catheterization)

Purpose

A coronary angiogram is a type of cardiac catheterization, sometimes called a dye test, used to detect heart problems. The test can show if there are blockages in any of the arteries that lead from the heart. It can also show how well the heart valves and heart muscle are working.

Tests such as stress tests, echocardiograms , electrocardiograms, and physical examinations provide important information about a patient’s heart, but they do not give all of the answers. In some cases, an angiogram is necessary to make a correct diagnosis and decide the best treatment for a patient.

For cases in which a blockage is found during an angiogram, the doctor may perform an angioplasty right away to correct it. The doctor can determine if this is possible only at the time of the procedure.

Angiograms are conducted in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Description

1. Blood work and an electrocardiogram are done in the hospital before the procedure.
2. A nurse or doctor asks the patient to provide informed consent. This is required before the test can proceed.
3. The patient is taken to the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
4. The patient is awake during the procedure so that he or she can follow instructions given by the doctor and nurses. Painkillers and sedatives are given intravenously (into a vein) as needed.
5. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery and/or vein located in the groin area, or the arm, and guided to the heart.
6. A dye solution is then injected into the coronary arteries so that X-ray pictures can be taken. The patient may feel a hot flush throughout his or her body when the dye is injected. This feeling is normal and only lasts a few seconds.
7. The X-rays reveal if there are blockages in any of the arteries.
8. The catheter is removed from the body.
9. The patient must remain on bed rest for four to six hours after the procedure. Painkillers and other drugs are given as needed.

See the Cardiac Catheterization and Angioplasty Patient Guide for more detailed information on the catheterization procedure and angioplasty.

Patient Instructions

Patients should follow the information in the Cardiac Catheterization and Angioplasty Patient Guide for items to bring to the hospital.

Before coming to the hospital, patients should make arrangements for a ride home after the procedure and for someone to stay with them overnight.

Patients may eat up to four hours and drink up to two hours before the procedure.

Additional Information

The average length of stay in the hospital for this type of procedure is less than 48 hours. Often, patients are scheduled as day patients and are able to return home the same day.