EVALUATION METHODS
ADDITIONAL EXAMINATIONS
CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY
A coronary angiography is an invasive medical procedure that involves examining the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. It is also known as coronary angiography.
Coronary artery disease can be responsible for angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure and can eventually progress to death. The evolution can be largely slowed down by appropriate treatment, so it is important to make an accurate diagnosis. Coronary angiography allows you to make an exact assessment of the damage to your coronary arteries (narrowing or occlusion) by means of an X-ray examination. This examination requires the use of X-rays, at doses as low as possible according to the ALARA precautionary principle recommended by the Public Health Code. The details of the doses received will be an integral part of the reports that will be given to you.
​ Preparation: Before the procedure, the patient is usually placed under a mild sedative to relax them. The catheter insertion area (usually the radial artery, wrist or femoral artery in the groin) is disinfected and anesthetized locally.
A catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into an artery, usually in the wrist or groin, and is guided through blood vessels to the heart.
Once the catheter is in place, an iodinated contrast medium is injected into the coronary arteries. This makes the coronary arteries visible on X-ray images.
Real-time X-ray images are taken as the contrast medium spreads through the coronary arteries. This allows doctors to visualize any abnormalities, such as narrowing or blockage of the arteries.
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-Is coronary angiography risky?
Despite technical progress and the experience of doctors, cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography carry a risk of incidents or accidents, as with any invasive or surgical procedure:
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-Allergic complications: Most often related to the use of iodinated radiological product or local anesthetic. If you have already had allergic sensations, it is imperative to inform your doctor.
-Complications at the puncture site of the artery. The most common complication is the formation of a bruise or hematoma at the puncture site that can persist for several days, but is usually inconsequential. However, the increase in volume in the days following the examination should lead you to consult a doctor quickly.
More rarely, the handling of the tubes can cause vascular injuries and require surgical repair and/or a blood transfusion or to remove a fragment of atheroma responsible for an embolism.
-Cardiac and vascular complications. During the examination, discomfort, chest pain, palpitations related to a rhythm disorder may occur. Serious complications are very rare. As an indication, in a review published in the medical literature, on a large series of patients, a risk of death of 0.2/1000, neurological disturbances (including paralysis) of 0.4/1000, and myocardial infarction of 0.3/1000 is noted. Other less severe complications have been reported, their frequency is less than 1%.
- What benefits can we expect from coronary angiography?
Depending on the results of the coronary angiography and the entire clinical assessment, medication may be prescribed. Depending on the lesions observed, you may be offered a revascularization procedure after discussion with your cardiologist and/or your treating physician: coronary bypass or coronary angioplasty. The coronary angiography will help determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition, in order to reduce the risk of later complications and improve your comfort of life.
The report of your coronary angiography will include the assessment of the lesions found and will specify whether stents were placed:
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