Coronary angiography

Coronary angiography, usually called invasive coronary angiography or conventional coronary angiography to distinguish it from CT coronary angiography, is technique used to visualise the coronary arteries, usually in the evaluation of coronary artery disease.

If a significant stenosis of the coronary arteries is seen on the angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention can be performed in the same procedure to treat the stenosis.

Procedure

A catheter is inserted into femoral or radial artery by Seldinger technique and directed retrograde through the arterial system to the coronary arteries. The operator can use the catheter to eject contrast directly into the coronaries, which can be visualised in realtime with the use of fluoroscopy.‎