Angiography
According to hospital protocol, depending on your age and risk factors, a coronary angiography may be requested.
An angiogram gives a picture of the blood flow through the heart. A dye which shows up on X-rays, is injected into the heart by means of a catheter and X-rays are taken.
The procedure is performed with an intra arterious line set up. You will lie flat and sterile drapes will be positioned over you leaving a small opening at an area where the catheter is inserted.
You will be taken into a special room that is called a Cath-lab, where you will meet a specially trained group of personnel on this procedure. A small dose of sedative is usually given to lessen anxiety. Local anaesthesia is injected into the skin at the site of the puncture, which is most often at the top of the leg.
The entire procedure may take less than an hour or as long as several hours. Injecting a local aesthetic may sting briefly but makes the rest of the procedure pain-free. You will not feel the catheter in your artery, but when the contrast material is injected you may have a feeling of warmth or occasionally burning sensation.
You will lie flat for two to six hours after angiography, depending on the hospital.