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Coronary Angiography: When and Why It's Used in Heart Failure
Published: Apr 18, 2024
Coronary angiography is a powerful diagnostic tool for heart problems. It's especially useful in determining if coronary artery disease is causing heart failure.
What is Coronary Angiography?
Coronary angiography is a procedure that uses X-rays and a special dye to see inside the heart's blood vessels. It's like creating a road map of your heart's arteries. The procedure can reveal blockages or narrowing that might be reducing blood flow to your heart muscle.
When is it Recommended?
Doctors may recommend coronary angiography if they suspect coronary artery disease is causing heart failure. It's often used when other tests, like stress tests, are inconclusive. The procedure is also valuable before certain treatments, like opening blocked arteries or heart surgery.
What to Expect During the Procedure
During coronary angiography, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in your groin or arm. It's guided to your heart, where dye is injected. X-ray images then show the flow of dye through your heart's arteries. The procedure typically takes about an hour and is done under local anesthesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients feel little to no pain, just some pressure at the catheter site.
While generally safe, there are some risks like bleeding or infection.
Most patients go home the same day and can resume normal activities within a week.
A Valuable Diagnostic Tool
Coronary angiography provides crucial information that can guide treatment decisions for heart failure patients.
References
- Yancy CW, et al. 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013; 62:e147.
- Bart BA, et al. Clinical determinants of mortality in patients with angiographically diagnosed ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 1997; 30:1002.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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