Coronarography

Coronary angiography is a minimally invasive method of radiographic imaging of the coronary arteries of the heart, by introducing a radiopaque substance.

This method still remains the «gold standard» in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD), since today it is the only existing research method that allows to determine the exact structure of the heart vessels.

In general, coronary angiography surgery is used to exclude or confirm this diagnosis, followed by a decision on the choice of treatment method. In some cases, patients over 45 years of age before major surgery, or with a positive stress test (stress echocardiography), a diagnostic examination of the coronary vessels is also performed to prevent possible complications such as myocardial infarction.

To understand how vascular coronary angiography works, we need to elaborate on the technique of this procedure itself.

So, the action takes place in the X-ray room, where an intravenous catheter is initially installed, vital functions are monitored (constant electrocardiography, blood pressure measurements, respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation). During the procedure, the surgeon may ask you to perform simple actions.

To perform coronary angiography, transfemoral access (through the common femoral artery below the groin area) or transradial access (through the radial artery of the forearm) is used. To reduce pain, local and intravenous anesthesia is used, naturally under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

When the surgical field is ready, the vessel is pierced to insert a catheter. It is a thin tube that is pushed to the mouth of the coronary artery, controlling this process with the help of special equipment. When the mouth of the artery is reached, the doctor begins to inject a contrast agent through the end of the catheter at the puncture site, which reaches the vessels of the heart. At this time, X-rays and video recordings are performed, while the surgeon receives a complete anatomical picture of the coronary vessels on the screen with all affected areas (if any).

It is worth noting that in our clinic of High Medical Technologies, according to indications, a modern method of assessing blood flow is used - FFR (fractional reserve of blood flow), the purpose of which is to measure the difference in pressure in a narrowed (stenosed) coronary artery, in order to determine the probability of ischemia of the muscle tissue of the heart - myocardium. Finally, based on the received picture, the team of cardiac surgeons and cardiologists will determine the best treatment for you, whether it is drug therapy or surgical treatment aimed at myocardial revascularization (coronary bypass surgery or stenting).