Angiogram & Angioplasty

Cardiology

Services & Specialties

Angiogram Procedure

Angiogram Procedure

Procedures

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 right wrist. This route generally has less chance of bleeding and other complications. Sometimes the femoral artery in your groin may be used instead. To begin, the Cardiologist will inject local anaesthetic into your wrist before inserting the equipment through the radial artery and up to the heart. This is generally painless, and you have a light sedation, but remain awake throughout the procedure.
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, this will be loosened gradually and will be removed prior to your discharge.

Angioplasty And Stent

If the Cardiologist identifies a narrowing that needs angioplasty or stenting, it will usually happen straight away during the procedure. The Cardiologist will inform you if they are proceeding to put a stent in.

Once your doctor refers you for an angiogram, one of our friendly administration staff will contact you to book your procedure and give you all the 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. If you are unsure about medications, you are welcome to call or email us, otherwise bring all your medications with you on the morning of the procedure and the nurses can guide you which ones to take.

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 administrators or one of the nursing staff. Following this, one of the clinical staff will take you through to the admission and recovery area and will set you up in one of the bed spaces, which is where you will stay before and after your procedure. You will be asked to change into a gown and there is bedside storage where you may keep your belongings.
We please ask that if you are unwell on the day of your procedure, you let us know as soon as possible so we can arrange an alternative date for you.
During the admission process, the nurse will ask you some questions about your medical history, check your blood pressure and heart rate, complete an ECG and insert an IV line into your arm. The Cardiologist will then come and sign an electronic consent form with you, and you will have the chance to discuss any concerns or ask any questions you may have.

We are a proudly paper-free facility, so all your documentation will be completed on an iPad.
Once your admission is completed and you have signed your consent form, you will be taken into the lab for your angiogram.

You are welcome to bring a support person with you, but we kindly ask for no more than two visitors. Your support person is welcome to sit with you before and after your procedure, but due to limited space in our recovery area, we may have to limit this to one person at busy times.

If your visitor or pick up person is wanting to stay close while they are waiting for you, our clinic is located close to shopping centres and cafes, and we are happy to point you in the direction of these.

After your angiogram or angioplasty, you will come back out into the same recovery space that you were in before. Recovery time for angiogram and angioplasty is between 2-3 hours. If there are any complications, or if you have had your procedure via the femoral artery approach, you may be required to stay longer. All procedures done at Cardia are day-stay, so you will be able to go home the same day.
You must have a friend or a family member to pick you up after the procedure, as you will not be able to drive for 48 hours. You will also need somebody to stay at home with you for the night.

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.

You are required to fast for 2 hours prior to your procedure, but you can keep sipping on water. After your procedure, you will be offered a warm or cold drink, and morning tea, generally a cheese or date scone depending on your preference. Our food is sourced from local cafes and is fresh on the day. We can also cater for any dietary requirements you may have.

You will be given detailed discharge information by one of the nurses before you leave Cardia. You can access a copy of this information below

We aim to make your stay at Cardia as relaxed as possible. Please don’t hesitate to ask if there is any way we can assist in making this happen.