An angiogram can be performed with a cath (intervention with a probe through the leg vessel to the heart), or ct scan (best is a 128 slice) that views the blood flow (dye has been injected) through the coronary arteries.
There isn't a high risk with a cath, and it is not painful, but have an understanding with the doctor whether or not your father wants a stent implant if there is some blockage, and whether the stent(s) are drug coated or not (obtain an opinon what the doctor prefers).
I had an angiogram on 12/27/12. Since having my leg is hurting in the thigh area and in the groan area. Put ice on groan area and heating pad on thigh. Called hospital where procedure was done, said this is normal. When I walk I am limping. Really painful. IS THIS NORMAL. this is my first angiogram. Worried about clotting in the leg.
You could ask for a ct angiogram if you are worried, which is basically a non invasive scan.
However, to answer your questions, the angiogram is very safe as far as invasive procedures go. The biggest risks are stroke and heart attack, but for this to happen the cardiologist would basically have to disturb a chunk of blockage material in the arteries with his catheter wire.
It isn't really about odds, are you the likely or unlikely odd?
Thank you for your detailed response. You are obviously well versed in all the possibilities.
My CBC was perfect in April. My regular Dr is very thorough and I've never had a thyroid problem and only slight anemia when I was younger. I know the heart Dr immediately put me on the Coumadin (before all the testing) because of the reading from the Holter monitor and the possibility of blood clots. Same reason for the beta blocker.
Hi, I had a ct angiogram Dec 21 and my calcium score is 694. My cholesterol is 242. My doctor put me on crestor 10 mg per day. I just got the hard copy report today and my dr. is away for the holidays.... what does that score mean? I have chest pain frequently but they thought it was all in my head....
I would consider having an Angiogram, but through your arm and not the leg artery. You have some calcium showing up on the ct scan of which I will translate for you.
Halfway down your left main coronary artery (LAD) you have suggested moderate sized blockage due to the calcium detected. The word 'luminal' is in reference to the open space in the artery which blood flows through.
A CT angiogram is more sensitive than a straight forward angiogram. They both rely on a radioactive substance being injected into your blood stream and it's this which the scanners pick up. If a CT angiogram doesn't reveal a vessel, then no way will an angiogram.
I had a vein that was closed after a bypass procedure and they looked for 30 minutes in a standard angiogram procedure to try and find it.
I'm having a CT angiogram Thursday. It avoids an interventional procedure that has some risk. X-ray exposture presents some risk for cancer, but my non-interventional cardiologist feels a CT angiogram is sufficient and I'm not disputing his recommendation. I had a cath angiogram and a stent 4 years ago, there was no problem as I was in a hospital setting for 3-4 days. However, some people experience a bleeding problem at the site of the cath insertion and pain that lasts several days.
CT scan 64-slice angiogram as well as a cath angiogram is by definition an angiogram as both involve a dye injection, but there is more intense radiation exposure with CT angiogram. It is fast becoming the radiological test of choice to look at disease of blood vessels. The next generation of a ct scan will reduce the individual's radiation exposure.
The ct angiogram involves an assessment of the body of the vessels as well as the lumen.
I had a CT angiogram for heart this week. Compared to a regular angiogram or catheterization , the CT angiogram can be considered a noninvasive procedure. However, in your dad's case the CT angiogram may also be considered risky because of kidney problems. His kidneys may not be able to deal with the dye used for CT angiogram. I am not a doctor so here I am just giving advice based on my on experience.
Also, you refer to process in discussion is a CT scan. It is a CT angiogram and involves the anatomy of vessels (cross section) and is as good as a cath angiogram and a CT scan (256 slice is 3D) is much more inclusive and can include respiratory system, the heart, aorta (ascending, arch, and descending), etc.
I had a nuclear stress test that may have showed an issue in my right coronary artery. I have no angina and excellent exercise ability. My cardio suggested to get an angiogram to see if it really blocked or just a false positive. I'm scared of the angiogram. Isn't the new 64 slice CT scan just as good to detect blockages as the invasive angiogram?
im schedule for this test in two weeks and im not sure if im making the right choice, actually 64 ct scan is the only choice i have and i feel i should take it.Also does the 64 slice ct angiogram show EF calculation and does it show any possible Valve regurgition or valve abnormalitties and or possible LVH ?
s father had had a CT angiogram and now the doctor wanted to do a cath angiogram. I meant to say and said the cath angiogram was unnecessary unless it was agreed and understood that there would in all probablity be angioplasty (stent, balloon) with a cath angiogram. there is a higher than expected probability there would be a stent implanted with a cath angiogram ...there are statistics available).
I saw a new cardiologist at a different hospital and he thinks I should have a CT Angiogram.. A CT Angiogram is a none invasive procedure, it takes 3d pictures of the heart using a ct scane 64 slice method. The scane can pic up blocked blood flow and narrow blood vessels.. But I would like to know witch one of the two is more reliable test.. Considering I had a negative nuclear stress test.. Will the ct angiogram be a more persised test at pinpointing and finding a possible problem..
I have a history of high cholesterol and am currently on a cholesterol reducing medication as well as a medication to reduce blood pressure. I was offered several options as the next step and opted for a CT angiogram. Given my other results, should I have gone directly to the more conventional angiogram in spite of the slightly greater risk? If there is a good chance that I will need an angiogram anyway, am I not putting myself at risk by going through another step?
i know this might be the right forum for my question, but i know many in here have implants that requier ongoing ct scans. Is 4 ct scans to many? i agree this ct angiogram is needed because my symptoms are not tolerable anymore. ill be paying for this ct angiogrm out of pocket because my health imsurance wont cover, and also i had a heated argument with the cardiologist from my inssurance. is 4 ct scans excesive?
My husband had a valve replaced about 3yrs ago. Every since he has had severe leg pain starting up in the groin area at night time. Tonight it was in both legs. Dr say it comes with open heart surgery..........?
Hi, a CT angiogram is noninvasive as compared to the traditional angiogram and is usually the preferred mode of investigation. CT angiograms will expose you to a small amount of radiation. If you have known coronary artery disease, a traditional coronary angiogram may be a better option, since you can also receive treatment for your artery blockages during a traditional coronary angiogram.
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