The Angiography Procedure: What to Expect
The Angiography Procedure: What to ExpectTranscript (page 1 of 2)Your doctor has recommended you undergo a procedure called angiography.When preparing to have an angiography, it is important you follow all of yourhealthcare provider’s instructions, but here is some general information about whatyou can expect before, during and after your procedure:Before your procedure, you are likely to have some tests. These may include a bloodtest, a chest x-ray, a stress test, and an electrocardiogram. The night before theprocedure, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight.Coronary angiography is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, but mayrequire an overnight stay. You may be asked to arrive a few hours before theprocedure is scheduled.Let your healthcare team know as early as possible if you are allergic to iodine orcontrast agents. If you are allergic to contrast material, you will be given medicationbefore the procedure to prevent a reaction.An I.V. will be started to provide you with fluids and medication during the procedure.The place on your arm or leg where the catheter will be inserted will be cleaned toprevent infection.Next, you’ll be moved to the procedure room. The angiography procedure usuallytakes less than one hour. Throughout it, you’ll be relaxed but not asleep. Due to themedication, you may not remember the procedure afterward.You’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb the area of your leg or arm where thecatheter will be inserted. You may feel the sting of the injection, but you shouldn’t feelany pain during the procedure. If you do, let your doctor know.Then a device, called an introducer sheath, will be inserted into your arm or leg.The catheter will be threaded through the sheath into an artery and carefully guided20% gradient meshtowards your heart.The doctor will inject a small amount of contrast material that will travel throughthehealthclipsarteries and their branches. In most facilities, the x-ray camera will be moved aroundhealthclipsyou to get a clear picture of the entire system.The room lights may be lowered to make the pictures on the monitor easier tosee.healthclipsBy viewing these pictures, your doctor will be able to identify any places where thehealthclipsarteries have narrowed.(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10205_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshThe Angiography Procedure: What to ExpectTranscript (page 2 of 2)To find out if there has been any damage to the heart, your doctor will guide thecatheter into its main chamber, called the left ventricle. At this point, you may feel likeyour heart skips a beat for a few seconds.A larger amount of contrast material will be injected to evaluate the heart’s pumpingaction. As the contrast material flows away from your heart, you may feel a warmsensation move through your body for about 20 to 30 seconds.“I was awake through the whole procedure. And it was scary at the time, but therewas a feeling that you were being looked after and everything was going to beokay.”If your doctor finds there is no blockage, you may be scheduled for additional teststo find out what’s causing your symptoms. If a blockage is found, there are severaltreatment options.Some treatment options can be performed to open up the artery while you are still inthe cath lab. They are angioplasty and angioplasty with stenting. Other options, whichmay be carried out later are coronary artery bypass surgery and medication.As you prepare for angiography, discuss all of your treatment options with yourdoctor. And be sure to ask any questions that you may have.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10205_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
© The Wellness Network
