Cardiac Catheterization
Coronary Angiography, Heart Catheterization
What To Think About
- About 1 in 5 people who have angiography is found to have normal coronary arteries.
- This test usually is not done on people who have had severe allergic reactions to contrast material, poorly controlled heart failure, life-threatening heart rhythm problems, or advanced kidney disease.
- Cardiac catheterization is not usually done during pregnancy because the radiation could damage the developing fetus. But in a life-threatening emergency, this procedure may be necessary to help save a pregnant woman's life. In such cases, the fetus is protected as much as possible from radiation exposure with a lead apron.
- If you are breast-feeding, use formula for 1 to 2 days after the test.
- In the future, electron-beam CT (EBCT) or MRI of the coronary arteries may be used instead of an angiogram to evaluate symptoms of coronary artery disease.
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: September 13, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
| How It Is Done | |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
| Results | |
| What Affects the Test | |
 | What To Think About |
| References | |
| Credits | |