Coronary Angiography And Stenting

If coronary artery disease is suspected coronary angiography may be arranged. This will be performed at a hospital with a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, such as Kareena and St George Private. As with any invasive procedure there are potential complications, hence the risk of proceeding with the invasive procedure will need to outweigh the risks of not proceeding and will be discussed in detail prior to any hospital admission.

Angiography involves the advancement of a catheter under radiological guidance via an arterial puncture. Once the coronary arteries are imaged, the appropriate treatment option can be determined. The options for treatment are dependent upon your clinical situation and anatomy, but can be divided into medical therapy, coronary stenting or heart bypass surgery. Coronary stenting involves the passage of a fine wire through and beyond the blockage or narrowing in the coronary artery, then opening up the blockage with a balloon (angioplasty) and/or stent. Patients are usually discharged from hospital the same day if only angiography is performed and the next day if coronary stenting is performed.

Before

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After

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