Coronary angiography and peripheral angiography are the two most important procedures of cardio treatments. The data from the National Interventional Council shows that in 2018 5,78,164 coronary stents were used in India. Data also shows that the number of heart procedures is increasing at a rate of 15% per decade. So, all of you need to know everything about these procedures. Read this blog, to learn everything about coronary angiography and peripheral angiography and connect with Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital for any kind of medical support.

1. What is Coronary Angiography?

Coronary angiography is a heart procedure in which a type of dye that’s visible by an X-ray machine is injected into the blood vessels of your heart. After this injection, the X-ray machine helps in capturing the images (angiograms) of your heart which helps the doctors to understand the issue and helps in deciding the necessary treatments.

1.1. How is the Coronary Angiography done?

In the coronary angiography, a cardiac catheterization is used. Mainly this process is to measure the pressures in the heart chambers. The arm or groin area is best for this test. Before the test, the area gets cleaned and numbed with a local numbing medicine (anaesthetic). After this, the cardiologist passes a thin hollow tube, called a catheter, through an artery and carefully moves it up into the heart. X-ray images help the doctor position the catheter.

After placing the catheter, the dye (contrast material) is injected into the catheter. The medical professional takes X-ray images are taken to see how the dye moves through the artery. The dye helps highlight any blockages in blood flow.

1.2. Why do you need Coronary Angiography?

Coronary Angiography is done for various reasons such as

• If you are feeling angina for the first time (chest pain which feels like squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in the chest).
• If your angina is getting worse.
• If you are feeling angina regularly or at an interval.
• You have aortic stenosis or another valve problem.
• You have atypical chest pain (chest pain that lasts for a few seconds, then quickly subsides) when other tests are normal.
• You had an abnormal heart stress test.
• You are going to have surgery on your heart and you are at high risk for coronary artery disease.
• You have heart failure.
• You have been diagnosed as having a heart attack.

1.3. How does it feel?

In most cases, the doctors do not opt for the full anaesthesia. So, the patient stays awake. During the test, the patient may feel some pressure at the site where the catheter is placed. The patient may also feel a flushing or warm sensation after the dye is injected into the body.

However, after removing the catheter, the patient may feel a firm pressure being applied at the insertion site to prevent bleeding. If the catheter is placed in the patient’s groin, the patient will be asked to lie flat on the back for a few hours to several hours after the test to avoid bleeding. Well, this can create some discomfort too.

1.4. Post-procedure care:

Although it is not an operation, however, it creates a wound on the body. So, it is important to follow some precautions to avoid further complications. Some of the post-procedure cares are-

• Avoid having a bath for a day or so. You can still take a shower but try to keep the wound as dry as possible.
• If you have a plaster on your groin, it can be removed the day after the procedure and it does not usually need to be replaced.
• Do not drive until told that it’s safe to do so, which may not be for up to 3 days.
• Avoid playing sports, excessive activity or lifting anything heavy for about 2 days.

Please remember that these are basic tips. If you/your patient is feeling any kind of discomfort connect with the doctor as early as possible. Do not forget to ask the doctor about every detail.

2. What is Peripheral Angiography?

Well, peripheral angiography has quite similarity with coronary angiography. In peripheral angiography, the medical practitioner injects a contrast dye through a catheter (thin tube) into the peripheral arteries that run to the stomach, arms and legs. The radiologist then uses X-rays to pick up the areas where the contrast dye shows plaque buildup in the arteries.

2.1. How is the Peripheral Angiography done?

For this test, the patient has to lie down on the X-ray table. The groin area is used for this test. The expert will numb the area (local anaesthesia) where the catheter will be injected. Before the procedure, the patient will be asked to not eat or drink anything after midnight. At the same time, the doctor will provide some additional guidance about when to take any medications, particularly blood thinners.

Peripheral vascular angiography is not painful. However, the patient may experience discomfort at the site where the catheter goes in. The patient may also be asked to hold their breath or hold still, which may be uncomfortable. The entire process takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

2.2. Why do you need Peripheral Angiography?

Doctors prescribe peripheral angiography for various reasons such as

• Pain in your legs or arms
• Shiny skin on your legs or feet
• Hair loss on your legs
• Cold Skin
• Gangrene, or dead tissue because of lack of blood flow
• Sores that won’t heal
• Numbness or weakness in your limbs
• Pain at rest
• Reddish-blue colour in your extremities
• Thick, opaque toenails
• Trouble moving around
• Weak pulse in your leg or foot

2.3. Post-procedure care:

The patient needs to follow some post-procedure care to get healed faster. The cares are-

If the band-aid is not removed at the hospital, the patient can remove it at home. However, the patient needs to get the permission of the doctor before doing it.

The patient can clean the area after 24 hours of the procedure. However, the patient should not take a bath, swim, or soak in a hot tub or Jacuzzi until after your office follow-up appointment.

The patient can walk normally, however, heavy exercises can be fatal.

The patient must connect with the doctor if there is any kind of body temperature which is greater than 101.5. Bleeding at the puncture site. Femoral artery approach (leg/groin): the leg is white, numb, cold, very painful, or if a lump appears at the incision site. Radial or Brachial Artery approach (wrist/arm): the arm is white, numb, cold, very painful, or if a lump appears at the incision site.

3. How Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital can help you with this?

Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital has a strong cardiology department. They have special expertise in coronary angiography & peripheral angioplasty.

Apart from these two, Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital has expertise in Coronary angioplasty (Primary and complex), peripheral angioplasty, permanent pacemaker implantation, Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD implantation), Device Closure (ASD, VSD, PDA), ECG Echo, Cardiography, Holter Monitoring & Treat Mill Test (TMT)

So, for any kind of heart treatment, connect with Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital at any time.

Final words: Coronary angiography and peripheral angiography are extremely crucial because they help in detecting any underlying heart issue. So, do not be afraid if your doctor prescribes it. Connect with Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital for any kind of medical assistance.

Disclaimer

Though all attempts are made to provide correct information on the subject, inadvertent & typographical errors arising out of manual intervention cannot be ruled out. It is requested to bring any such discrepancies to the notice of the blogger for correction