ANGIO LABORATORY

Coronary Angiography is a method used in the detection of coronary artery disease. It can detect which region of the coronary arteries is narrowed and/or occluded due to atherosclerosis. This method detects vascular stenosis or occlusion and ensures that the treatment is directed as needed. Since the heart cavities will be reached during the procedure, defects in the functioning of the heart valves and walls can also be shown with this method. Coronary angiography can also be used to diagnose congenital heart diseases such as heart holes.

Most people do not feel pain during the coronary angiography procedure. Some patients, on the other hand, state that they feel a little pain. The area where the procedure will be performed will be anesthetized with a local anesthetic (which provides loss of sensation). At this time, only a pinprick is felt. Thin tubes called catheters or “sheaths” are placed in your artery. Your heart vessels are visualized with a dyed substance called radio-opaque substance, which contains substances that contain radiation at the appropriate dose determined by medical research and can be noticed under x-ray light. Injection of the dyed substance during the procedure will not give a feeling of pain. You may feel hot flashes and flushing while this dye is administered. This feeling can last for about 20-30 seconds. At the end of the procedure, a larger amount of dye may be given to view the inside of your heart if necessary, and more warmth may be felt during this time. Some people may develop an allergy to the dyed substance and associated itching and redness. It is possible to treat this problem with the drugs given during the procedure.

If the patient has a previous history of allergy or asthma, or if an allergic reaction has developed before, for example, during the filming of kidney or other vessels, this should be told to the doctor before the procedure. There may be short-term chest pain during the procedure. If so, the doctor should be informed. Your doctor will have all the necessary tests done before hospitalization. One of the most important issues is that you bring all the previous examinations with you on the day you come for the procedure. These include blood tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, if there is, your previous angiography or surgery reports, and your patient discharge papers, called the exit summary.

In fact, it is of great benefit for heart patients to make the procedures done to them a personal file and, if possible, to carry them with them. Generally, you have to come without breakfast on the day of the procedure. If there is a different situation, you will be notified by the people in charge of the hospital. If there are drugs that are used continuously, the doctor should be asked whether they can be taken on the morning of the angiography.

If you are diabetic and are using drugs that lower blood sugar or insulin in the morning, come hungry without taking your medicine and inform your nurse or doctor as soon as you arrive. Depending on which area will be used for angiography (arm or leg), we need to shave the groin and clean that area. This area will be covered with a completely sterile (germ-free) cover during the angiography procedure. Laboratory personnel will also be wearing completely sterile, that is, germ-free clothes and gloves. During the angiography procedure, you will be awake to answer the questions asked by your doctor. You will be asked to take deep breaths and hold your breath while the films are being shot. When you take a deep breath and hold it, this will increase the image quality of the film and prevent unnecessary waste of time. You may then be asked to breathe or cough. The time required for each catheter procedure varies. This period depends on personal factors related to the patient, what the doctor is looking for, and other factors.

Generally, in non-special cases, the process can be completed in about 10 minutes. After the procedure, the catheter in the groin area is usually withdrawn immediately. In special cases, withdrawal of the groin catheter may be delayed. In order to prevent bleeding from your artery after catheter removal, it is necessary to press firmly on the groin area. During this time, the patient may feel some pain. After the active bleeding has stopped, sandbags are placed in the groin area to prevent bleeding again and you are asked to lie on your back for a certain period of time without changing the position. You may feel tenderness and discomfort in the area where the catheter is applied.