A special X-ray test, which detects the location and extent of the blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries is coronary angiogram. The report of this diagnostic test helps to take a treatment call as in, whether the condition can be cured only by lifestyle management, medications or is there a need for any further invasive procedures such as angioplasty or stent, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).
This test is needed if you have
The procedure takes 5 minutes. Following steps are carried out:
Throughout your stay with us for this procedure our experienced and pleasant doctor andhis team will be at your service guiding you and answering your every query. Please feel free to ask all your doubts to our consultant cardiologist before the procedure.
A stent is a metal mesh mounted over a balloon. It is made of various materials. Some stents are made of stainless steel others are cobalt chromium or platinum. Its coated with polymer and drug to prevent blockage inside the stent. The drug gradually gets eliminated whereas polymer may or may not get absorbed.
The stent is taken to the site of blockage and the balloon is inflated keep the stent inflated and the balloon is then gradually defalted and taken out. The stent then acts as a scaffold to open up the stenosis. The metal stays in place lifelong inside the body.
Some complications which can happen during the angioplasty are artery dissection or tear, artery perforation or hole, arrhythmias (bad fatal rhythms) and even death.
2 major complications that can happen with a stent are stent thrombosis and instent restenosis (ISR)
Stent thrombosis is blockage of the stent due to blood clot. The chances are maximum in first 24 hours. To reduce the complications patient is loaded with 2 blood thinners. Patient usually presents with acute onset chest pain.
ISR is a medium to long term complication. The body reacts to the stent and causes stenosis within the stent. The patient again develops chest pain and breathlessness due to this.
When a patient presents with massive heart attack there are 2 ways to treat.
Thrombolysis (Clot busting injections)
Primary angioplasty .
Primary angioplasty is the best treatment for acute massive heart attack. Its going inside the heart like a routine angioplasty(As mentioned above), removing the clot and placing a stent.
In case of acute severe heart attack if there is a blood clot causing an obstructioin. An alternative way other than a balloon inflation is to take in suction devices inside the heart through a tube from your groin or hand and sucking it out. This helps reestablish flow in the heart and prevent further damage of heart muscles.
The very next day if the angiogram doesn’t show significant coronary artery disease.
No it is not considered as a major surgery.Its classified as minimally invasive diagnostic procedure.
Angio in Latin means vessels , So a graph or image of the vessel is angiography. It’s a test just like a CT scan or MRI it is not a therapy. After the angiogram the cardiology ascertains whether to keep the patient on medical management, do and angioplasty or send for bypass surgery to the surgeon.
In short an angiogram is a test to detect the narrowing of arteries supplying the heart,whereas angioplasty is a procedure to expand these arteries.
At Care For Your Heart we provide comprehensive cardiac treatment to all our patients.
Call us now if you are in a medical emergency.
For Interventions :
Wockhardt Heart Institute (Mumbai Central), Fortis Raheja Hospital (Mahim), Breach Candy Hospital (Peddar Road), Masina heart institute (Byculla), Somaiya Superspeciality Hospital (Sion)