Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Angiography

Procedure:

Catheters are placed via a sheath (narrow tube) in the artery of the groin or arm, advanced into the heart, and pictures are taken with injectable contrast dye and X-ray.

Major Indications:

• Unstable angina or Chest pain [uncontrolled with medications or after a heart attack]
• Heart attack
• Before a bypass surgery
• Abnormal treadmill test results
• Determine the extent of coronary artery disease
• Disease of the heart valve causing symptoms (syncope, shortness of breath)
• To monitor rejection in heart transplant patients
• Syncope or loss of consciousness in patients with aortic valve disease

Apollo Hospital, Bhubaneswar, performs procedures in a day care cath setting where the patient is discharged on the same day.