Angiogram is an x-rays of blood vessels it uses a special dye and camera (fluoroscopy) to visualize the arteries on the surface of the heart to see if any of them are blocked. An angiogram is also used to look at the arteries or veins in the arms, legs, chest or belly. Common Angiograms can see the arteries near the heart (coronary angiogram), Lungs (pulmonary angiogram), brain (cerebral angiogram), head and neck (carotid angiogram), legs or arms (peripheral, and the aorta (aortogram). When there is not enough blood flow to the heart muscles, this is often manifested as chest pain.

By just using an ordinary x-ray you will not see the coronary arteries. These have to be made visible by using a special dye. The dye is delivered through a catheter that is guided from a blood vessel in the upper thigh all the way up to the heart. Once the catheter is already placed in the right position, a dye is then injected and it goes right into the coronary arteries, X-ray is then taken at the precise time the dye flows through the arteries. The dye is then excreted with the urine.

Angiogram can help give light to some questions like;

• Are there problems in the blood vessels supplying the heart muscles?

• How many vessels are affected?

• How serious is the problems?

Angiogram procedure is done in the x-ray room. During angiogram procedure the patient is awake. Local anesthetic is usually applied on the area where the needle will be inserted. Catheter is threaded through this needle. Pain will be felt when the needle is breaks into the skin but the passage of the catheter through the blood vessel is painless. A warm feeling is felt when the injected dye spread through the heart's vessels. Patient will be asked to hold his breath and should not move so that the images that will be taken are sharp. Afterwards, the catheter is removed and the area where the catheter was removed is pressed firmly for about 20minutes to stop the bleeding. Several x-rays are taken to follow the flowing of dye and the entire angiogram procedure usually takes about an hour.

It is not necessary for the patient to stay in the hospital after the angiogram. It is important to take a rest for at least a day after the procedure. It is also advised to drink plenty of water to flush out the dye through the kidneys. There are no food limitations.

Possible complication from angiogram:

• Infection or bleeding on the site of the puncture.
• Allergic reaction to the dye.
• Problems when excreting the dye can occur among patient with kidney disease.

Caution: There is always some risk involve with invasive medical procedure, so always ask your doctor if there are non-invasive options that are available.