What is Coronary Angiography and Left Ventriculography?
Coronary angiography is a procedure to visualise the coronary arteries – the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscles. On an ordinary chest X-ray film, the heart appears as a silhouette and the coronary arteries cannot be seen. To see the coronary arteries, a special "dye" or contrast medium is injected into the arteries, after which pictures of the coronary arteries are obtained using specialised X-ray cameras. The contrast medium is injected through a small tube or catheter that are inserted into a large artery in the groin or the arm. The catheter is then advanced to the heart and positioned at the mouths of the coronary arteries before injection is performed. Coronary angiography is therefore an invasive procedure. Often, another procedure called left ventriculography is performed at the same session, whereby a catheter is advanced into the left ventricle (the lower heart chamber) and contrast medium injected. This allows visualisation of the left ventricle and its contractions.
What is the purpose of this test?
In some people, the coronary arteries become narrowed, usually by a process called atherosclerosis in which cholesterol and other substances are deposited on the arterial wall. With progressive narrowing, the blood supply to the heart muscles gradually decreases, and eventually becomes insufficient to supply the needs of the muscles. This usually results in chest pain or angina pectoris during exertion or stress, but may also manifest as breathlessness, irregular heart rhythm or fatigue. When a blood vessel suddenly obstructs completely, a full-blown heart attack occurs. Coronary artery disease is one of the most common diseases and is a major killer in Singapore.
Coronary angiography is carried out to:
- determine whether any significant narrowing or blockage is present in the coronary arteries
- determine what the best form of treatment is
- performed before coronary angioplasty (balloon procedure) to provide a "road-map" for guiding the angioplasty procedure.
After the test, I was told to make decision if to proceed the procedures further. I was in dilemma as I was there alone and to make a decision for my mum's health is not easy. Beside thinking of my mum well-being, I also have to think of the high medical expenses. However, I am glad that the specialist Dr Paul Ong giving assurance that he will get the MSW to be involved. He finds that it is unfair that one's need an immediate procedure but unable to do so due to high medical cost. I felt bless and thankful.
Mum then admitted to Ward 6A Bed 14 (Coronary Care Unit). It is a high dependency unit which patient will be taken extra care.
Dr Paul Ong mentioned that he will continue mum's procedure on Monday (23 Dec 2014) as her blood pressure drop and does not want prolonged the procedure as it will risk my mum's health.
Thank you Dr Paul Ong.
Information from Tan Tock Seng's Patient Guide.
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