Is coronarography painful?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia — the puncture itself may feel like mild pressure. A brief sensation of warmth may occur when the contrast agent is injected. General anesthesia is not required, and pain is generally not experienced.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure itself takes 20–40 minutes. Afterward, the patient is monitored for several hours to check the puncture site and overall condition.

Is hospitalization required?

In most cases, coronarography is performed on a same-day basis — without extended hospitalization. The patient arrives in the morning and may be discharged in the evening. In some cases, inpatient monitoring may be required based on clinical indications.

When will the results be ready?

The physician communicates preliminary results immediately after the procedure. A written report describing the coronary artery status and treatment recommendations is issued on the same day or the next day.

Can coronarography be done for free in Saint Petersburg?

Yes. At Pirogov Clinic in Saint Petersburg, coronarography is available free of charge under CHI and federal quotas with the appropriate referral. Paid diagnostics allow you to be examined at a convenient time without waiting.

Heart Diagnostics · Saint Petersburg

Coronarography

An accurate method of diagnosing the condition of the coronary arteries of the heart for the detection and treatment of diseases.

Free under CHI and federal quotas
when indicated and with a referral

What Is Coronarography

Coronary angiography is a minimally invasive method of X-ray imaging of the coronary arteries of the heart using a radiopaque contrast agent.

It still remains the «gold standard» in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD): today it is the only existing examination method that shows the exact structure of the heart vessels.

Coronary angiography is used to exclude or confirm this diagnosis and then choose a treatment method. In some cases — for patients over 45 before major surgery, or with a positive stress test (stress echocardiography) — the coronary vessels are examined to prevent possible complications such as myocardial infarction.

Procedure Safety

Coronarography is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia, typically lasting 20–40 minutes. The patient remains conscious and under constant medical supervision. The procedure is carried out in a specialized X-ray operating room at Pirogov Clinic in Saint Petersburg.

minutes: 20-40
anesthesia: local
of monitoring: 1 day

When Is Coronarography Indicated

Chest discomfort during exertion or at rest
Suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD)
Preparation for cardiac surgery
Changes on echocardiography or stress test results
Previous myocardial infarction — to assess arterial condition

How Coronarography Is Performed

The procedure takes place in the X-ray operating room. First an intravenous catheter is placed and vital functions are monitored: continuous electrocardiography, blood pressure, respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation. During the procedure the surgeon may ask you to perform simple actions.

Coronary angiography uses transradial access — through the radial artery of the forearm — or transfemoral access — through the common femoral artery below the groin. To reduce pain, local and intravenous anesthesia is used under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

Local Anesthesia
The patient remains conscious. The puncture site is numbed with a local anesthetic.
Catheter Insertion
A thin flexible catheter is inserted through the wrist or femoral artery and advanced to the coronary arteries.
Contrast Agent
A contrast agent is injected through the catheter to fill the coronary vessels.
Vessel Imaging
A specialized device captures X-ray images of the arteries in multiple projections.
Results Assessment
The physician analyzes the coronary artery anatomy and determines the further treatment plan.

Procedure Video

What Coronarography Results Reveal

Based on the results, the physician determines the further treatment strategy — depending on the degree of arterial damage:

Drug TherapyFor minor changes, conservative treatment is prescribed — medications to normalize blood flow and prevent complications.
Artery StentingFor significant narrowings, endovascular intervention is performed: a stent is placed in the narrowed segment to restore patency.Learn more
Coronary Artery Bypass GraftingFor multiple or extensive lesions, surgical treatment may be recommended — creating bypass routes for blood flow.Learn more

Blood Flow Assessment: FFR

When indicated, the clinic uses a modern method of blood flow assessment — FFR (fractional flow reserve). It measures the pressure difference across a narrowed (stenosed) coronary artery to determine the likelihood of ischemia of the heart muscle — the myocardium.

Coronarography Cost in Saint Petersburg

CoronarographyIncludes all consumables and monitoring: 57,600 ₽
Additional studies (FFR, OCT)Based on clinical indications: 97,600 ₽

Coronarography may be performed free of charge under CHI and federal quotas. Please consult a specialist.

Doctors Performing Coronarography at Pirogov Clinic

Free under CHI and federal quotas

Available under CHI and federal quotas. Paid diagnostics allow you to get examined without waiting and determine the treatment strategy faster.

How to get treatment for free

Frequently Asked Questions

Conditions it treats

Related procedures and diagnostics

How to get care at the Center

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