Coronary angiography Angiography
A fine catheter is passed from the wrist or groin to the heart, contrast is injected, and images show the inside of the coronary arteries.
What it can show
The site and severity of narrowing in each coronary branch. Ballooning and stenting can be done in the same session if indicated.
What it cannot show
Shows the lumen, not the vessel wall. It does not assess how well the heart muscle contracts.
This is the half people skip. A normal result answers one question, not every question.
Tell the staff before you start
Contrast allergy · kidney disease · metformin · blood thinners · pregnancy.
Also bring the full list of every medicine and supplement you take. Things bought without a prescription belong on that list too.