What Is It?
It is s an invasive X-ray procedure usually done to assess whether there are any coronary artery (heart artery) blockages and if so, how many and how severe the blockages are.
How Is It Done?
It is performed in a special procedure room called the cardiac catheter laboratory which are in hospitals. Under X-ray guidance a hollow tube (called a catheter) is threaded up an artery either from the top of the leg or the wrist to the heart. An X-ray contrast liquid is then injected through the tube into the heart or heart arteries so an X-ray picture can be recorded.
Why Is It Done?
It is performed to assess for heart artery disease and to plan for treatment. This is currently the most accurate method for looking for heart artery narrowing.