Coronary angiography is an invasive procedure to assess whether there are any blockages in your coronary arteries. This may be performed if there is suspicion of coronary artery disease.

The usual indications are chest pain, a positive stress test, positive CT Coronary angiogram or multiple cardiac risk factors.

This is usually a day procedure or may involve an overnight stay in case stenting is required. This will be performed in a cardiac catheter theatre. It will be performed either through the radial artery or femoral artery.

After administration of a local anesthetic a catheter will be inserted up to engage the coronary arteries where a dye will be injected. During this injection, x-ray pictures are taken to assess how well the coronary arteries fill; any blockages will be shown on these images. Further evaluation may involve physiological assays like FFR or imaging including IVUS or OCT, which are performed at the same time.

Patient prep:

Your doctor will give you a comprehensive prep list for this procedure. You need to be fasting 4 hours prior to start of your procedure. You will need to stop blood thinners like Warfarin 3 days prior to your procedure. Agents like Dabigatran, Apixaban and Rivaroxaban need to be ceased 24 to 48 hours prior to the procedure.

If you have Diabetes please cease Metformin 24 hours before the procedure and do not take your morning dose of Insulin.

If you have had any allergic reaction to iodine based dye please inform your doctor before the procedure so premedication can be given.