Coronary Angiogram - CT Artery Coronary Angiogram

Angiography is the technique of producing images of the arteries in the body, in this case, the coronary arteries responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle. A liquid dye is squirted into the coronary arteries through a soft rubber tube called catheter. The catheter is introduced through an artery in the groin and is positioned near the entrance to the coronary arteries by following a guide wire. Pictures of the arteries are taken in rapid succession on X-ray films and the whole of the procedure is monitored on a screen.

Coronary Angiography is the standard investigation carried out to determine the state of the coronary arteries. It is usually performed following a heart attack, or if an exercise ECG has been positive.

Angiography is mainly used to see whether the coronary arteries are narrowed and suitable for surgery, such as bypass operation or angioplasty (where the artery is widened using a special baloon catheter).