Angiogram Procedure
A coronary angiogram procedure is needed to assess for a variety of health conditions, including blood flow issues and potential aneurysms. The prospect of any medical procedure can be nerve-wracking, and an angiogram, which involves examining blood vessels, is no different. It's natural to have questions about the procedure, such as "How long is a coronary angiogram procedure?" or "Is Coronary angiography painful?".
When undergoing this procedure, you want the best doctor possible to ensure you get the best care for your health. The doctors at The Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre are highly experienced in angiography procedures.They are expertly trained to provide the best service when you need it most.
What Is An Angiogram Procedure?
Angiogram procedures can vary in complexity which determines how long they will take and what the recovery stage looks like. Typically, this procedure can take anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Most patients wonder, "How long does it take to recover from an angiogram?" Generally, recovery is swift, with many going home the same day, though some cases may require an overnight hospital stay. The procedure is performed whilst under local anesthetic to numb the area.
The procedure involves injecting a special dye through a catheter into your arteries and requires a skilled and experienced doctor to conduct it. This is crucial for assessing conditions that might narrow the arteries, affecting blood flow to the heart muscle.
Why An Angiogram Procedure Is Done?
An angiogram is done to look at the blood vessels and see if there are any blockages. Coronary angioplasty is often done right after an angiogram to treat a blockage. This is done during the same procedure. During an angioplasty, a wire is pushed through the catheter and past the blockage. Then, a balloon is pushed over the wire. The balloon is inflated to open a blockage, and a metal stent can be placed to hold the artery open.
What Is The Difference Between An Angiogram And An Angioplasty?
An angiogram is done to look at the blood vessels and see if there are any blockages. Coronary angioplasty is often done right after an angiogram to treat a blockage. This is done during the same procedure. During an angioplasty, a wire is pushed through the catheter and past the blockage. Then, a balloon is pushed over the wire. The balloon is inflated to open a blockage, and a metal stent can be placed to hold the artery open.
How Is The Angiogram Procedure Performed?
Preparation For The Procedure
Your doctor will review your medical history and sometimes perform a physical exam to check everything is fine before starting. Patients often ask, "Is an angiogram a major surgery?" While it's not major surgery, it does require careful preparation and skill, especially when using special dye for tomography.
Then, you will be given a hospital gown and required to remove things like contact lenses, glasses, jewellery, and hair pins or clips. Finally, you will be required to empty your bladder before beginning the procedure.
Procedure Steps
You will start the actual procedure by lying down on an X-ray table.
To begin with, your doctor will precisely feed a catheter (which is a thin and flexible tube) into one of your arteries through an incision in either your groin or wrist. Once this is in place, the doctor will move the X-ray machine into position to capture X-ray images. During the procedure, you may be given a sedative through an IV and will most likely be quite sleepy for the duration, although still able to follow instructions. Some patients may notice a lump on the wrist after the angiogram; this is usually a minor side effect and resolves quickly.
Dye is injected through the catheter, which gives the X-ray machine something to focus on. That part of the procedure is known as an arteriogram and is crucial in allowing your doctor to see into the arteries of the heart.
Usage of Contrast Dye In Angiogram
As we mentioned above, an angiogram procedure uses contrast dye in your blood vessels. Without the dye, it can be difficult to see your blood vessels, so by adding it, the doctor can better see their location and current condition on the X-ray scans. If you have any concerns about contrast dye, discussing them with your doctor beforehand is best.
How To Prepare For An Angiogram Test?
Before undergoing an angiogram procedure, there are a few things you must do in advance to prepare.
- Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before your angiogram.
- Inform your doctor of all medication you are currently taking. They should inform you which ones you can continue taking prior to the procedure.
- If you have diabetes, you should check with your doctor before the procedure as to whether you should take insulin or oral medications before the angiogram
What To Expect During The Angiogram Procedure?
With any medical procedure, the anticipation or your expectations are almost always more intimidating than the procedure itself. An angiogram procedure is no different. However, it can help to understand the procedure and what’s involved before you attend.
Duration Of The Procedure
An angiogram procedure takes, on average, about an hour, but this can vary depending on how the process goes. You can expect around 2 hours on the upper end or 30 minutes on the lower end. However, this doesn’t include the preparation and aftercare time. You could be required to stay overnight following the procedure, but your doctor should inform you of this beforehand.
Pain Management
The procedure should not cause any pain, and you won’t feel the catheter moving through your body, which relieves most patients. If you have any worries about pain during your angiogram procedure, you should discuss this with your doctor before the process begins. They should be able to alleviate your worries and explain that the procedure is painless.
Risks and Complications
An angiogram procedure is considered safe, however there can always be complications during medical operations.
Common side effects include:
- Bruising
- Soreness
- A small collection of blood near where the cut was made
Fortunately, all of these are common and nothing to worry about. These side effects should pass within a few days or weeks.
More serious complications include:
- An infection where the cut was made which must be treated with antibiotics
- A minor reaction to the contrast dye such as a rash
- Kidney damage due to the contrast dye
- A heart attack or stroke
- Damage to a blood vessel
- A serious allergic reaction to the contrast dye
These complications are quite rare and are all treatable by your doctor.
Benefits Of Angiogram Procedure
There are numerous benefits to an angiogram procedure though in many cases, the procedure itself is often more of a requirement by your doctor.
Accurate Diagnosis
A coronary angiogram procedure is the gold standard for accurately diagnosing coronary artery disease .
Treatment Planning
An angiogram can give your doctor much information on your body's health. It is ideal for treatment planning. With this information, your doctor can make a well-informed decision on what steps to take next and how best to care for your health and body.
Choosing The Right Medical Professional For Your Angiogram Procedure
When undergoing an angiogram, you need a doctor who understands your situation. An experienced cardiologist typically performs the procedure. Before agreeing to the procedure, researching your doctor and speaking to them will help to give you additional confidence going forward.
At The Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre, our experienced cardiologists understand your concerns and ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
Why The Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre Is The Best Choice For An Angiogram Procedure?
The Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre offers a range of cardiology treatment options from screening and diagnosis to minimally invasive procedures. In all cases, the doctors at The Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre are highly experienced in providing the best and safest care for our patients. When undergoing an angiogram procedure you want to choose a doctor who you trust explicitly and we’d love to meet with you and discuss how we can make this procedure as simple and painless as possible for you. Click here to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Angiogram Procedure
Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the coronary angiogram procedure.
Who performs an angiogram?
A senior doctor specializing in cardiology will perform the procedure.
Is an angiogram a serious procedure?
An angiogram is a serious procedure and must be conducted only by a specialist doctor.
Is it painful to have an angiogram?
It is typically painless to have an angiogram.
How long does it take to recover from an angiogram?
It typically takes a few days to a week to recover from an angiogram procedure.
What are the 3 main risks of having an angiogram?
The 3 most common risks of an angiogram procedure are bruising, soreness, and a small lump of blood that will heal after a few days or weeks.
What you cannot do after an angiogram?
After an angiogram you must get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activities.
Can an angiogram cure blockage?
An angiogram can show your doctor where a blockage is, allowing them to suggest further treatments like an angioplasty.
How do you sleep after an angiogram?
When your doctor has cleared you after your procedure you can sleep as normal.
Are you awake during an angiogram?
Yes, you are awake during the procedure.
Are angiograms and angioplasty the same?
Angioplasty involves operating on your arteries whilst an angiogram is assessing them.
