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A study of the coronary arteries using a catheter is called coronary angiography. Any time there is damage to or a malfunction of the heart caused by narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries this procedure may be used. The coronary arteries are important because they supply blood to the heart. Coronary heart disease, also known as angina pectoris is a very common disorder, causing more deaths in the United States than any other disorder. Many times this disorder will occur in both men and women who appear to be in good health and strikes without warning. In most cases, the deaths that occur from this disorder are people over the age of 65.
Although deaths have declined in the past 20 years from coronary heart disease due to better medical treatment of elevated blood pressure and improved surgical treatment this disorder is still a very real threat. This disorder begins when the coronary arteries narrow and eventually become blocked by plaques. Plaques are patches of cholesterol rich fatty materials called atheroma. If the arteries continue to narrow blood clots may form on the roughened surface of the plaques. A doctor who detects this condition may recommend coronary angiography so that he can study the coronary arteries to see how far the disorder has progressed.
During a coronary angiography a doctor will thread a slender catheter into the artery of your arm or groin moving it toward the heart and on into the coronary arteries. While doing this the doctor will often use what is called fluoroscopy, which is a continuous x-ray procedure, to watch the progress of the catheter. Once the tip of the catheter is in place, a dye will be injected that shows up on x-ray. Then the outline of your arteries will appear on a video screen. Cineangiography is a type of move x-ray that will provide a clear picture of your heart chambers and arteries so that the doctor can evaluate the problem. Any time the doctor finds irregularities or narrowing of the coronary arteries, the catheter can be used to treat it by relieving the blockage using a procedure known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
In most cases there are minor side effects of a coronary angiography that will occur immediately after the injection of the dye. As the dye spreads through the blood stream a temporary feeling of warmth will be felt. This is especially prominent in the head and face area. There will be a slight drop in blood pressure and the heart rate will increase. In some cases there can be nausea, coughing or vomiting but these are rare. In extremely rare cases a more serious reaction can cause convulsions, shock, kidney problems and even cardiac arrest.
Some people will have allergic reactions to the dye that is given during a coronary angiography. These reactions may be as simple as a mild rash, or a serious as anaphylaxis which is a rare, life threatening condition. If the catheter touches the hear wall there may be an occurrence of abnormal heart rhythms. But rest assured that the team of doctors and nurses in attendance when this procedure if performed are more than ready to treat any problems or side effects immediately.
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