How is a coronary angiogram performed?
Coronary angiography is performed with the use of local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, and is generally not significantly uncomfortable. • In performing a coronary angiogram, a doctor inserts a small catheter (a thin hollow tube with a diameter of 2-3 mm) through the skin into an artery in either the groin or the arm. • Guided with the assistance of a fluoroscope (a special x-ray viewing instrument), the catheter is then advanced to the opening of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart). • Next, a small amount of radiographic contrast (a solution containing iodine, which is easily visualized with X-ray images) is injected into each coronary artery. The images that are produced are called the angiogram. • The procedure takes approximately 20-30 minutes. • After the procedure, the catheter is removed and the artery in the leg or arm is either sutured, “sealed,” or treated with manual compression to prevent bleeding. • Often, if an angioplasty or stent
