Coronary Angiography
Coronary angiography is performed in the cath lab. This is a type of examination that checks whether there is a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, of course, the coronary arteries. This test helps to determine the extent and location of blockages.
Cardiologists determine which medical treatment and surgery should be done on the patient through the heart examination. This test is done in the cath lab in 30-40 minutes. A hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into the heart through a vein in the arm or leg (usually in the thigh) and guided along metal guide wires to the coronary arteries in the heart.
At this time, a dye is injected and x-ray images are taken from different angles. With the help of these X-ray images, we understand the flow of blood in the coronary arteries and we understand in which arteries, the size and number of blockages and where they are located.
That is why coronary angiography has a unique importance in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
Coronary Artery Disease - Treatment
After the above various tests, the patient's distress, severity of heart disease symptoms, heart cell function, patient's age etc. Doctors suggest treatment based on various factors. In the beginning, proper changes in diet, exercise etc. are recommended. An attempt is made to reduce the severity of the disease by taking medicines as per the requirement. If the blockage in the coronary arteries is high, the doctor advises the patient to undergo angioplasty or bypass.
Angioplasty
Angioplasty removes a blockage in a blood vessel. So that the heart cells get smooth blood supply. No major surgery is required for this. Similar to angiography, a catheter and guide wire are advanced from a vein in the leg or arm to a heart vein. A balloon is guided along the catheter to the site of the blockage and inflated there. So that the blocked area becomes bigger and helps to improve the blood supply. This is called balloon angioplasty.
Along with the balloon, a spring called a stent is inserted into the blockage. This spring expands and widens the diameter of the blocked blood vessel and helps to improve blood flow. At this point, the balloon is removed and the stent is placed in place to reduce the blockage of the artery and improve the blood supply. This procedure is called stent angioplasty. There are different types of these stents. In this, the practice of using drug-eluting stents has increased. Drug-eluting stents release drug, which can control recurrent blockages.
About Dr. Prashant P. Udgire
Dr. Prashant Prabhakar Udgire is currently working as an Associate Professor and Interventional Cardiologist at M.G.M. Hospital, Aurangabad. He has completed his M.D. (Medicine) from Lokmanya Tilak Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, and D.M. (Cardiology) from Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, under the guidance of Padma Vibhushan Dr. B. K. Goyal. He has extensive experience, having performed over 4000 angiographies and 1000 angioplasties in Mumbai.
Locations:
Aurangabad:
M.G.M. Hospital, N-6, CIDCO, Aurangabad.
Nanded:
Umarekar Multispecialty Hospital, Doctor Lane, Nanded, every Tuesday.
Buldhana:
Buldhana Trauma Critical Care and Research Center, Captain Himmatrao Salve Memorial Tower,
Jabhru Road, Buldhana, on the first and third Sundays of every month.
Dr. Prashant P. Udgire M.D. (Medicine), D.M. (Cardiology) Mumbai
Assistant Professor & Interventional Cardiologist
Mobile: 9503181111
Email: [email protected]