Coronary angiography is performed to detect obstruction in the
coronary arteries of the heart. During the procedure a catheter
(thin flexible tube) is inserted into an artery in your arm or
groin and then threaded carefully into the heart. The blood vessels
of the heart are then studied by injection of contrast media
through the catheter. A rapid succession of X-rays (fluoroscopy) is
taken to view blood flow.
Review Date: 05/02/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
