CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

Who are candidates for coronary angiography/angioplasty / stenting? 

People who suffer from ischaemic heart disease ( proven on exercise stress testing / nuclear scintigraphy  or in  people with history of myocardial infarction ) are candidates for diagnostic coronary angiography. when a coronary arterial narrowing that necessitates intervention is detected, baloon dilatation and stenting of the coronary artery may be performed in the same day as an "adhoc" procedure.

Pre-intervention:

Before coronary angiography / angioplasty / stenting, complete blood count, renal function tests,blood glucose, hepatitis and HIV marker tests are run.

The procedures:

During angiography, patients grain or forearm is given local anesthesia and a small incision is made, through which a needle is inserted. Afterwards the needle is excharged with a thin plastic tube, through which catheters are introduced that are used to give contrast dye to the coronary arteries. Patient doesn't feel any pain during the procedure. In  angioplasty / stenting, same procedures are used. In addition, through catheters, baloons or stents (devices used to keep arteries open after balloon dilatation ) that are mounted on baloons are introduced, and then inflated and withdrawn. After these procedures, the plastic tube is withdrawn and pressure dressings are applied to control bleeding.

Post-intervention:

Bed rest after angiograhy is needed. Patient is monitored for 24 hours in coronary care unit after balloon / stent procedure.

Hospital and Country Stay:

Patient is discharged on the same or the next day if only diagnostic angiography is performed.Patient is discharged the next day after baloon/ stent procedures. These periods may change according to the medical status of individual patients.
After discharge, patient may leave the country 1-2 days after angiography, 5-7 days after balloon / stent procedure.

Balloons/Stents:

In our hospital, balloons / stents which have FDA approval and CE marks are used throughout the procedures.