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OTHER INVESTIGATIONS

BLOOD TESTS

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)

AMBULATORY ECG RECORDING

EXERCISE TOLERANCE TEST

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY (CARDIAC CATHETERISATION)

OTHER CARDIAC TESTS

Dr. Richard Mansfield

Dr. Richard Mansfield
BSc (Hons) MB ChB MD FRCP FESC
CONSULTANT CARDIOLOGIST

Note: I am happy to answer general questions regarding the content of this website, but I cannot give clinical advice. Such requests will not be answered.

Coronary angiography (Cardiac catheterisation)

Coronary angiography (otherwise known as cardiac catheterisation) is used to look for narrowed heart arteries that may be causing angina or to assess heart valve disease. It is carried out under local anaesthetic and often with light sedation. It is a day case procedure. Patients are starved beforehand. A small tube is placed in the artery in the groin or wrist through which longer tubes (catheters) are passed to the heart under X-ray guidance. A contrast agent (dye) is injected into the arteries to see if they narrowed or blocked.

There are some risks involved in the tests but for the majority of patients the test is very straightforward. Risks include death, heart attack or stroke in 1 patient in 1000. In 1 patient in 500 there may be slight damage to the artery in the groin or wrist.

It should be remembered that the benefits of the test almost certainly outweigh the risks. The results of the test are immediate and importantly enable the cardiologist to make a diagnosis and advise on treatment.

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