Angiogram tomorrow

[Jacoba]

Hi,

I'm having an angiogram tomorrow.

I have to have one after a CT scan showed a dense confluent calcification in the proximal LAD, so of course I'm happy they are looking into it, but a bit scary to have such an invasive procedure.

Scared what they are going to find, what If it's so bad I need a bypass? I feel quite good at the moment, especially now i'm having Betablockers, no tachycardia anymore, so weird whilst I feel good to have to go to hospital to have an Angiogram.

I never even met the Cardiologist who is going to do the procedure, just a registrar at the pre-op clinic. Fingers crossed it's all going well and i'm not one of the 0.1% they warn you for at pre-op clinic.

Thanks for reading!!

Jacoba

PS; I got an urine infection last week and on last day AB tomorrow, the nurse at GP practice said that she doesn't think it effects Angiogram, i can't really find any information about it. I hope it doesn't effect it, I feel fine so I think infection is gone, but you never know.

[IanMK]

Hi Jacoba

I had an angiogram at the beginning of the year. It was quite straightforward; nothing to worry about. As far as it being invasive, it'snot surgery.

Be prepared for a large scanner moving close to you on the top of your body. In my case, I’m sure it touched my nose 😂. It didn’t show any problems in my case, it was just a necessary step in the diagnostic process and a step nearer to treatment.

Good luck for tomorrow.

[Shootist in reply to IanMK]

I had it on the 4th of last month I was very afraid but there is nothing to it you lay on the table they inject a local anastetic into your wrist or groin and then you feel nothing they will ask if you need a sedative and its only valium . And your out the same day I had 3 stints on the 15th felt nothing I would rather have another stint fitted than a tooth out do not worry it's nothing the only thing I did wrong is go back to work too early.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

As IanMK says an angiogram is quite straightforward but you will need to refrain from driving and take is gently (no heavy lifting) for 48 hours.

If there is time in the morning ring the cardiology department to check on the antibiotic situation.

As s general rule anyone having any queries or concerns about a procedure should ring up the department concerned at the earliest opportunity.

[Nik_Nak_Noo]

Hi I l only just had my Angiogram on Wednesday just gone. I was the same as you very anxious about it all, but on the morning of the procedure I was as calm as could be. When you get in the lab you lay on the bed & the nursing staff prepare your groin, (that is just in case they can’t use the radial artery in your wrist) they generally will go in at the wrist. They gave me a small amount of diazepam, but it never touched me, so I was wide awake for mine. The only slightly painful bit was the bit between the wrist and crease of the elbow. There will be a massive screen in the room where you can also see what is happening and you will have a machine that comes very close to your face at certain points. When they put the balloon in I did experience chest pain which they said would happen. That literally lasted about 20 seconds. When they have finished they show you the before and after pictures. I ended up with one stent. When you get back to the lab you have to stay in bed and be continually monitored for 5 hours, then once the monitors are off, you have to stay another hour and walk around at 10 minute intervals. I left hospital with a wrist splint which I was asked to keep on till the following morning. This is to stop you using your Wrist otherwise the artery could re open. Also before I left I was given 600 mg if clopidogrel to take there and then and then told I had to take one tablet every day for 30 months & take an aspirin a day for life. I hope this has re assured you I wish you well & hope all goes well with the procedure as I’m sure it will.

[Allen224]

Good luck , hope it goes well and yes, first one is a bit scary.

Allen