Coronary angiography is a diagnostic procedure that accurately visualizes the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that feed the heart muscle) and especially the narrowing that can occur in these arteries (coronary stenosis).
Usually, cardiac catheterization takes place through the radial artery in your wrist. This route normally has less bleeding and complications. Sometimes the femoral artery in your groin may be used instead. To begin, the doctor will numb the skin in your wrist before inserting the equipment through up to the heart- this would be painless and you are awake throughout.
Any blockages will be clearly identified as the arteries fill with dye. At the end of the procedure, the catheter will be removed from your wrist. A pressure band will be used to cover the area to prevent bleeding. The pressure on the band will gradually be released and the band will be removed over an hour or so..
Once your doctor refers you for an angiogram, one of our friendly team members will contact you to provide relevant information.
You will need to be nil by mouth for two hours prior to your admission to Cardia. You can continue to drink clear fluids. You should continue your regular medication (including on the morning of your procedure) unless your cardiologist advises you to stop (usually blood thinners such as Warfarin, Pradaxa or Rivaroxaban are withheld 72 hours before the procedure). If you are taking any diabetes medicines, do NOT take on the day of the procedure. Please bring a current list of medications and allergies.
You must have a friend or a family member to drop-off and pick-up after the procedure. When you turn up to Cardia on the morning of your procedure, we will ask you to stay in your vehicle, and one of our clinical staff will come and see you, and we will help you to complete a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) before entering the premises. If your test is negative, we will bring you inside and begin your admission process.
Once inside, one of the clinical staff will take you to your bedspace and go through some admission questions with you. We are proudly a paper-free Cath Lab, so we will be doing all your documentation on electronic tablets. You will be asked to get changed into a gown, and we will do an ECG and insert and IV line into your arm. You will meet your specialist to sign an electronic consent form and he or she will discuss any questions you may have.
Once you are ready to go, you will be taken into the lab for your angiogram.
Cardia is located at 217 Shakespeare Road, Milford. There is plenty of free parking for visitors.
Upon arrival to Cardia, you will be greeted by our receptionist or one of the nursing staff. You will be required to scan in with the COVID-19 QR code, and you will be given an ID card for your stay with us.
Following this, one of the clinical staff will take you through to the admission/recovery area, and will set you up in one of the bed spaces, which is where you will stay before and after your procedure.
We aim to make your day stay at Cardia as relaxed as possible.
After arrival to Cardia, you will be taken into the admission/recovery area by one of the clinical team. They will complete a checklist with you to ensure we have all the information to safely carry out your procedure. You will also be asked to change into a patient gown, have an ECG and an iv line inserted. You will also have an opportunity to speak to your doctor to answer any questions or concerns.
When it is time to go in for your procedure, you will have a chance to use the bathroom, then you will be taken into the procedure room.
After your procedure, you will come back out into the same space you were in before. All procedures done at Cardia are day stay procedures so you will be able to go home on the same day. Recovery varies depending on your procedure, but you can be with us from anywhere between 1 to 6 hours post procedure.
We will keep you and your family member or pick up person informed about your recovery process and when you can expect to go home. The clinical staff will make sure you have all the information you need for your discharge, and you are always welcome to ask us any questions during your stay.
As you are required to do fasting prior to your procedure, you may only have sips of water on your arrival.
After your procedure, you will be given a light meal, and you will have access to a range of warm drinks.
All our food is sourced from local cafes and fresh on the day of your procedure. We can cater for any dietary requirements you may have. You will be able to choose the meal of your choice when submitting the online registration form.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we unfortunately are not able to let visitors into Cardia currently. This is to ensure the health and wellbeing of other patients and our staff.
If your designated pick up person wishes to remain close by while they are waiting for you, Cardia is centrally located to shopping centres and cafes that they could visit while they are waiting for you.
Following your procedure, you will be with us for at least two hours.
If we have done a radial access procedure, you will have a band around your wrist with some air in it, and the clinical staff will remove small amounts of air at a time. You will have to stay with us for one hour after the band has been removed.
If we have done a femoral access procedure, you will likely have to lie flat for a few hours, and recovery time is likely at least 4 hours, depending on the technique used.
You will need somebody to drive you home, as you will not be able to drive 48 hours following your angiogram. You will also need somebody to stay at home with you overnight after being discharged.
You will be given in depth discharge information specific to you prior to going home on the day of your procedure. All these information are electronic, however, if you prefer a printed copy, we can provide it at your request.