Coronary Angiography | Diagnosis and Treatment in Cardiovascular Diseases – Prof. Dr. Osman Beton | MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt
Coronary angiography is an interventional cardiology procedure that enables the visualization of the coronary vessels supplying the heart and holds an important place in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Thanks to this method, which can be performed in cases of chest pain, shortness of breath, a feeling of pressure developing during exertion, or suspected coronary vessel occlusion, the vascular structure is evaluated in detail. In accordance with the images obtained, the location, severity, and treatment requirement of vascular stenosis can be determined. When necessary, balloon angioplasty or stent application can be planned in the same session, aiming to restore blood flow.
At MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, coronary angiography procedures are performed in line with current scientific approaches by Prof. Dr. Osman Beton with his experience in the field of interventional cardiology. A personalized diagnostic and treatment plan is established by evaluating the patient’s clinical history, physical examination, ECG, echocardiography, and other cardiological evaluations together. For patients living in TRNC, Güzelyurt, Cyprus, and North Cyprus, a reliable and structured approach is offered for the evaluation of coronary vessel diseases.
What is Coronary Angiography?
Coronary angiography is an interventional diagnostic method that allows the examination of vessels supplying the heart using a special contrast agent and X-ray imaging system. Thanks to the procedure, narrowing, complete occlusion, structural vascular abnormalities, and other problems affecting blood flow present within the vessel can be evaluated in detail.
Coronary artery disease is one of the most significant causes of heart attacks and heart failure worldwide. Accurate evaluation performed at an early stage can contribute to establishing an appropriate treatment plan. Therefore, coronary angiography is accepted not only as a diagnostic tool, but also as one of the most critical steps in treatment planning.
Prof. Dr. Osman Beton decides whether coronary angiography is necessary by evaluating the patient’s complaints, risk factors, and prior diagnostic test results together. Thus, while unnecessary interventions are avoided, the procedure can be planned at the right time for patients who truly need it.
Who Can Undergo Coronary Angiography?
Coronary angiography is not routinely performed on every patient. The decision for the procedure is made as a result of the cardiology specialist’s evaluation.
Coronary angiography can be recommended in the following situations:
Individuals with chest pain
Patients experiencing shortness of breath during exertion
Individuals with suspected heart attacks
Patients in whom abnormal ECG findings are detected
Individuals showing high risk as a result of exercise stress test or scintigraphy
Patients requiring further investigation as a result of coronary CT angiography
For control purposes in individuals who have previously undergone stent placement or bypass surgery
In patients requiring coronary vessel evaluation prior to heart valve surgery
Individuals with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking habits, obesity, and a family history of early-onset heart disease carry a higher risk for coronary artery disease. Therefore, detailed cardiological evaluation holds great importance in this group of patients.
Which Evaluations Are Performed Prior to Coronary Angiography?
Before planning coronary angiography, the patient’s general health status is thoroughly evaluated.
In this process, evaluations such as:
Cardiology examination
Electrocardiography (ECG)
Echocardiography
Blood tests
Evaluation of kidney functions
Review of medications in use
Inquiry into allergy history
can be performed.
In patients using blood thinners, pre-procedural medication planning must strictly be determined by the cardiology specialist. Additionally, patients with a known history of allergy to contrast agents must inform their physician before the procedure.
How is Coronary Angiography Performed?
Coronary angiography is an interventional procedure performed under sterile conditions in the angiography laboratory. During the procedure, the general condition of the patient is continuously monitored. General anesthesia is not required for most patients; the access site is numbed using local anesthesia, allowing the patient to communicate with the medical team throughout the procedure.
Today, coronary angiography is mostly performed via the radial artery in the wrist. In some patients, the femoral artery in the groin region may be preferred. The decision on which access route is suitable is made by evaluating the patient’s vascular structure and clinical condition.
Thin and flexible catheters are advanced through the vessel to reach the coronary arteries supplying the heart. Then, by injecting a contrast agent, images of the vessels are taken from different angles. In this way, narrowing, blockage, or structural issues within the vessel can be evaluated in detail.
If significant vascular stenosis is detected during the procedure, balloon angioplasty and stent application can be planned in the same session in suitable patients. Thus, the treatment process can continue without the need for a second intervention.
What Are the Advantages of Coronary Angiography?
Coronary angiography is considered one of the most reliable methods in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Thanks to the detailed imaging it provides, treatment planning can be carried out more accurately.
Primary advantages of coronary angiography include:
Enables detailed visualization of coronary vessels.
Location and severity of vascular stenosis can be clearly determined.
Assists in evaluating the risk of heart attack.
Allows for stent application in the same session when necessary.
Guides surgical or interventional treatment planning.
Supports personalized determination of treatment options.
Allows re-evaluation of vessels in patients who previously underwent stenting or bypass.
Applied to the right patient at the right time, coronary angiography significantly contributes to planning appropriate treatment by accelerating the diagnostic process.
Are There Risks of Coronary Angiography?
As with any interventional procedure, coronary angiography may carry certain low-rate risks. However, when the procedure is performed by experienced teams following proper patient selection, it is considered among safe applications.
Rarely observed conditions may include:
Bruising or bleeding at the access site
Development of vascular damage
Allergic reaction related to contrast media
Cardiac rhythm changes
Infection
Transient impact on kidney functions
Detailed pre-procedural evaluation of the patient’s medical history and necessary preparations help reduce potential risks.
Post-Coronary Angiography Recovery Process
After coronary angiography, the patient is kept under observation for a specific period. Discharge planning is made based on the condition of the access site, the procedure performed, and the general health status of the patient.
In procedures performed via the wrist, returning to daily life is often faster. However, avoiding heavy lifting, using medications recommended by the physician regularly, and not missing follow-up appointments are important.
If a stent was applied in the same session, regular intake of prescribed blood thinners forms a critical part of the treatment. Since discontinuing medications without physician guidance can lead to severe health issues, the treatment plan must be strictly followed.
Coronary Angiography Evaluation with Prof. Dr. Osman Beton
Prof. Dr. Osman Beton, serving at MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, adopts a comprehensive evaluation approach in the diagnosis and interventional treatment of coronary artery diseases.
The decision for coronary angiography is not made based on a single test alone. A personalized roadmap is created by evaluating the patient’s complaints, physical examination findings, laboratory results, ECG, echocardiography, and other required imaging methods together.
For patients applying from TRNC, Güzelyurt, Cyprus, and North Cyprus, diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up processes are planned in line with internationally accepted cardiology guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coronary angiography a painful procedure?
Local anesthesia is applied to the access site during the procedure. Patients generally feel only brief pressure or mild discomfort.
How long does coronary angiography take?
While the duration of the procedure varies depending on the patient’s vascular structure and the intervention to be performed, most diagnostic coronary angiographies are completed within approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
Can one return home on the same day after coronary angiography?
If the general condition of the patient is suitable and no additional intervention is required, many patients can be discharged on the same day or within the timeframe deemed appropriate by the physician.
Are coronary angiography and stenting the same procedure?
No. Coronary angiography is a diagnostic imaging procedure. If severe vascular stenosis is detected during the procedure, stent application can be performed in the same session in suitable patients.
Does coronary angiography prevent a heart attack?
Coronary angiography is not a direct treatment method. However, by enabling the accurate identification of vascular disease, it helps in planning appropriate treatment, thereby playing a major role in managing cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusion
Coronary angiography is an interventional cardiology procedure that enables detailed evaluation of vessels supplying the heart and holds an important place in the diagnostic process of coronary artery disease. It can be applied under the evaluation of a cardiology specialist in individuals experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased exercise capacity, or suspected cardiovascular disease.
In evaluations conducted by Prof. Dr. Osman Beton at MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, each patient’s clinical situation is addressed individually, and the necessity of coronary angiography is determined in light of scientific data. Patients wishing to receive detailed information about coronary angiography or plan a cardiology evaluation in TRNC, Güzelyurt, Cyprus, and North Cyprus can be informed about suitable diagnostic and treatment options following a specialist physician examination.