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Coronary Angiography, Angioplasty, and Stents

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By Editorial Team

3 min read

Coronary angiography, also called coronary angiogram, is a test used to see how the blood flows near the heart. It can be used to diagnose heart problems like coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary angioplasty is a type of treatment used to fix blocked or narrowed arteries. During coronary angioplasty, a mesh tube (stent) may be placed to open up a blocked artery.1,2

What is coronary angiography?

Coronary angiography is part of a group of tests and treatments called coronary catheterization. During this test, a healthcare professional inserts a catheter (a thin and flexible tube) into 1 of the big blood vessels to find blocked arteries.1

Before coronary angiography, you will be given a sedative to make you relaxed. Then, your healthcare team will make a small cut in your arm or leg to insert the catheter. Using X-ray images, your doctor will move the catheter through the blood vessels toward your heart.1,3

Next, a dye is injected through the catheter. X-ray images show the dye moving through the blood vessels. If the dye does not move through a blood vessel or moves slowly, it may be because that blood vessel has become narrowed or blocked.1,3

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Who needs a coronary angiography?

Coronary angiography is usually performed if other lab tests, like exercise stress test or echo (echocardiogram), show abnormal results. Your doctor also might suggest a coronary angiography if you have had a chest injury or are having symptoms that might be due to a heart problem. These symptoms may include chest pain or pain in the jaw, neck, or arms.1,3

If you have been diagnosed with a heart disease, a coronary angiography can help your doctor see how the disease has progressed. It can also help them determine how well treatments are working.1

What is coronary angioplasty?

One common treatment for blocked arteries is coronary angioplasty. This procedure begins like coronary angiography, with the insertion of a catheter. But in this procedure, a small balloon is attached to the tip of a catheter. Once the catheter reaches the site of the blockage, the balloon is inflated.2,4

As the balloon gets bigger, it pushes the arteries open. Any buildup blocking the arteries is pushed toward the walls of the arteries. Then the balloon is deflated, and the catheter is removed.2,4

Before removing the catheter, your doctor may place a stent where the artery was blocked to help keep it open. This is called coronary angioplasty with stent placement. The stent may be coated with a drug to make sure the artery remains open after the procedure.2

Who needs a coronary angioplasty?

Your doctor may recommend a coronary angioplasty if you have a blocked artery. Coronary angioplasty may help if your symptoms keep getting worse despite medicines and other treatments. A coronary angioplasty also can be an emergency treatment to quickly fix blood flow during a heart attack.2

Risks of coronary angiography and coronary angioplasty

Both of these procedures have certain risks. Risk may include:1,2

  • Damage to the arteries caused by the catheter
  • Infection or bleeding where the catheter was inserted
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Allergic reaction to the dyes or drugs used during the procedure
  • Kidney damage (usually in people who already have kidney problems)
  • Heart attack (rarely)
  • Stroke (very rarely)

Risks related to stents used during coronary angioplasty include:2,4

  • Blood clots forming in the holes of the stent, which can block the arteries and cause a heart attack. Your doctor might give you certain drugs to lower your chances of developing blood clots.
  • Arteries becoming blocked again after the procedure

After coronary angioplasty

Coronary angioplasty can improve blood flow. But it does not treat the underlying cause of heart disease. Plaque can continue to build up in the arteries and cause new blockages in the arteries. Adopting certain lifestyle habits can help lower your risk of blocked arteries. These habits include:2

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet
  • Avoiding smoking and tobacco
  • Exercising regularly
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Getting treatment if you have high cholesterol, blood sugar, or blood pressure
Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.

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