Can anyone tell me what this procedure is like
Angiogramme: Can anyone tell me what... - British Heart Fou...
Angiogramme
Written by
GardeningFlowers
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
30 Replies
•
Hello my name is Gary. I have recently had an angiogram. I won’t go into full detail but just explain a little of my experience. I was scared as I didn’t know what I was up against. I was taken into the room where it was to be carried out and sat down by the doctors. They explained what was going on and I immediately calmed down. They put two local anaesthetic injections in to numb the area of entry so you can’t feel the procedure. You lay down on the bed and they do what they need to do. The camera goes in the wrist or leg depending where they have discussed with you. You can see your own heart in the monitor if you wish to look, they carry out what they need to do and get you all fixed up. I recon it was about half an hour in total until I was wheeled back into the ward to recover. It’s so clever what they can do through such a small opening. Hope it all goes well for you and try not to worry at all as it’s not so bad. Hope this helps a little 👍🏻
I had one a few years ago, a bit scared of the unknown and not looking forward to it.Mine was through the groin area, didn't feel a thing for most of it. Only at the end I felt a slight sensation of the catheter being retracted, a slight discomfort, nothing more.
To be honest, there was so little to it, I'd have it done again anytime.
The only advice I'd give is take things very easy afterwards, I tried to step over the edge of the bath later that day and the plug in the artery popped out.. I had one heck of a "bruise" for a week or so.
MilkfairyHeart Star
Hello,
I have had 2 angiograms.
This information from the BHF website may help, it includes video of a patient having the procedure..
I suspect most of us on here has had at least 1 angiogram, I have had 3 (2 the same day). A straightforward angiogram is just to see if you have any blockages, it involves a catheter being fed either via the wrist or via the groin, it tends to be whatever is the preference of the person carrying out.
A dye is released into the heart and this is what the xray follows, it will show if there are any blockages.
Some hospitals can only do a straightforward angiogram so all they can do is report what they find then any further procedures are done elsewhere.
I had an angiogram in 2017 in a hospital that could only do angiograms but it was found I needed a bypass so I had to be referred to a cardiac surgeon at a larger teaching hospital.
In October last year I was referred directly to that teaching hospital and had an angiogram that revealed I needed 2 stents but the artery had calcified so they had to drill the artery to fit the stents. It was unpleasant but how wonderful they could do such a thing?
So an angiogram can vary from exploratory only, to fitting stents via a balloon or fitting stents by drilling (rotablation)
It is a scary thing especially as you are awake, but the thought is worse than the real thing.
The cardiologist will know immediately the results and most times they will discuss this with you the same day.
Anything else you want to know ask away.
The point about an angiogram is that it's the gold standard for heart diagnostics, nothing else even comes close to delivering to your cardiologist the same quality of information.
If you think about it's easy to understand why, the heart is constantly beating, so "photographing" it with X-Rays or ultra sound will just give a blurry image, plus they need to precisely locate and measure blockages that may be little thicker than a human hair.
So, your cardiologist, no matter how experienced and knowledgeable, will be far better able to construct a course of treatment once armed with the results of an angiogram. In the vast majority of cases it's a low risk and relatively low discomfort procedure, in other words the benefits far, far outweigh the negatives. No one likes hospital procedures, but this one's a no brainer!
Good luck!
I had my first angiogram in January. I was a little apprehensive, more from what they might find than the procedure itself. I had read many of the posts here and looked at BHF and YT videos etc. So understood what would happen. A small incision in the wrist, followed by a catheter being places in the arm and a small wire passed up it to inject contrast dye into the heart. X ray's taken and then it's over.
It was very straightforward and the cardiologist who did mine had done over 10,000 in his career and said he'd only ever had one real problem. So I felt in very good hands.
To be honest it was over before I knew it, very quick and pretty much painless, giving blood is probably worse. I felt the catheter and wire in my arm which was odd but not painful, I didn't have any sedation at all, it was all fine. Doctor talked me through the whole procedure, had a look at the massive screen with my heart on it which was mind-blowing. Before I knew it he said that's it done. Thankfully no blockages or narrowing. Was back in the ward and eating toast and tea and quite enjoyed the enforced three hour chill out, listened to some music and read my book and was allowed home three hours after the procedure after the cuff was deflated. I was in at 7.30 and home by 12.00.
Went home and relaxed for the rest of the day and felt fine, some minor aches and pains in the arm for a few days and the incision point was sore for couple of weeks but then no problems.
Biggest take aways for me:
1. It was much more straightforward than I thought, the staff do this every day, they had 12 in on my day. Same every day except for weekends.
2. Loads of staff in the Cath Lab, must have been 11 or 12 nurses/technicians maybe more. So professional though.
3. It's cold in there.
4. Wow, is that my heart on the massive TV, that's freakin cool!
5. Wow again at how lucky are we in the UK to have this service, I wouldn't like to guess the cost in the USA.
6. I expected to pee out the dye and for it to be black/dark for some reason, as it's black on the screen, *forgot* its an x ray...doh...contrast dye is clear😆 of course.
Hi thecyclist. I have often wondered why the lab was so cold, any ideas? I was absolutely freezing. Took my mind off the scary starship enterprise appearance of the room though!
I believe it’s to keep all of the equipment cool. Yes it’s amazing isn’t it!
Those lead aprons must make some get a big hot? Is that why?
Oh yes it's really cold in the cath lab. I forgot that.
A Big thank you for your help and support. I will keep everyone posted. This site may just get me through this madness and upside down period of my life. 😉
Quick easy and painless.
It’s ok . It doesn’t hurt just a little uncomfortable. You have to Lay very still still . It can be done through the wrist or the groin. A small incision is made and a line is threaded up to your heart. Then liquid fed through to see where blockages could be . You don’t feel it . When over your taken back to bed to await your surgeons report. Good luck
Hi there ! I have had 5 angios , they even joked with me in the lab that they were giving me nectar points as I’d been there so often !The unknown is always more scary than the reality. The staff put you completely at ease and you can have sedation no problem .
The procedure is relatively painless and you can watch what’s happening on the screen if you want. Sensations can be felt but no pain as such .
If any stents are needed they do it there and then .
Hope all goes well for you 😁
Hi. My heart journey was all so quick that I didn’t have time to worry about the angiogram and following bypass. The clinicians were excellent being professional and kind as I was nervous when I was in the very cool ‘operating theatre’ which seemed to be in the hospital basement. I did feel some discomfort in my wrist and I was told not to put any pressure on my wrist for about 2 weeks. It’s a fantastic procedure.
I feel very grateful.
The procedure certainly took my mind off the heart attack I was having. As some have said, absolutely fascinating and totally painless. Two stents, in and out in half an hour and sitting up in resus being asked what I would like for lunch. 😀
I have had two angiograms here in Spain where I live and the process was identical to that described by the other posters. The first was in 2018, the day before surgery to repair my mitral valve, as it was explained to me that if there were any problems with my coronary arteries they could be addressed at the same time. I had been admitted to the private hospital early in the morning before my surgery anyway so they just wheeled me, in my bed, down to the cath lab and wheeled me back afterwards. I remember a warm sensation coursing through my veins when the contrast was injected which felt a bit strange. The second one was done in a public hospital as a day patient, last Monday, because reduced heart function had been picked up by routine cardiology check-ups and scans revealed that at some time after my surgery I had had a silent heart attack and my coronary arteries needed to be checked again. My cardiologist had explained to me that if it found I needed any stents they would be done there and then. My appointment was for 8.00 am and I left the hospital just before 1.00 pm. Got changed into a gown, plastic overshoes and a not very fetching plastic cap and lay on a trolley whilst a canula was inserted and an IV drip set up, pulse ox meter attached to my finger and my blood pressure checked, was asked my height and weight (so they can calculate how much contrast to inject, I guess). A little while later I walked (with the nurse insisting I took his arm!) into the cath lab where I lay on the trolley and the contrast was put in via my wrist. It wasn't as easy to see the screen this time as it had been at my first angiogram, but the procedure doesn't take long and I was pleased when the cardiologist told me at the end that there were no problems and I should just continue with my medication. They put a very tight pressure gadget (like a plastic bracelet) around my wrist to seal the plug in the artery which is slightly uncomfortable and I was warned not to use my right hand for anything at all for the next 24 hours. I was able to walk back to the recovery room accompanied by the nurse. I stayed in the recovery room for a further 3 hours and a nurse came along to do obs and reduce the pressure on the gadget around my wrist by a certain percentage every 30 minutes. They brought me a typical Spanish breakfast of a bread roll with olive oil and tomato, plus a coffee, and a nurse cut up the bread roll for me and spread the olive oil and tomato on it (I didn't ask her to, it was routine because they don't want patients to use their right hand) - I said it felt like being a baby and she laughed. Finally the pressure bracelet was removed and a tight dressing put around the wrist, and I was allowed to get dressed - the nurse offered to help but I said I could manage. I felt very well cared for. The department was very busy and a number of emergency patients were wheeled in by paramedics whilst I was there, the staff never stopped. I had to go for a PCR test on the previous Friday and I presume that would be required in the UK too.
Hi, I had an angiogram several years ago now. I was worried as I didn't know what would happen, but it was all very straightforward. Mine was through the wrist, they gave me a sedative injection, I started off watching what was going on, but think I dozed off. I came round when I felt the catheter coming out and I said to the surgeon "Is that it"? as I couldn't believe it was over. He laughed. Then sat eating toast and drinking lots of water for a couple of hours and was home by dinnertime.
Similar experience to other posters - although I was apprehensive, the procedure was straightforward and painless. I get a bit claustrophobic, and found the X-ray machine a bit unnerving close to my chest and face. I explained this to the team beforehand, so they gave me a small amount of sedative which kept me calm. Had a stent fitted, and was in the theatre for about an hour in total. A couple of hours rest, a day of observations, and I was back home.
If you're scared, and the doctors said most people are, tell them. They gave me a mild sedative to reduce anxiety but leave me fully conscious.Didn't pay too much attention since I'm a real coward about medical issues, but didn't really notice anything from the procedure. Main thing that stuck with me was it appeared the bed was moving around to guide the operation.
Hi - don’t be nervous GardeningFlowers. And if you’d like a complete run down of the whole experience please go onto my profile and scroll down -and you’ll find I wrote an in depth post about my experience of an angiogram. Wishing you all the very best,Sarah
Had one in the 1960s as a child that wasn’t scary and one in 2020 before heart surgery. It went fine nothing to worry about. As others have said the room was quite cold and lots of people in it. Only mild discomfort at start but no pain. Didn’t seem to take long. Spent 20 mins in a recovery room to warm up but soon back to normal. Had a compression device ( inflatable ring) over the cut on my wrist that they deflated slowly and it came off I think after a couple of hours. No side effects and felt fine
I've had two. You should be given a sedative and a blood thinning medication then lay on a very hard t able while they do the procedure. I couldn't see the monitors ; I was most annoyed. It takes less than half an hour. Afterwards they fit a pressure bandage one your wrist if that's where they went in to stop bleeding from the artery and you go into a recovery ward with one or two more patients. A nurse will come and gradually release it until the bleeding stops. Then it's tea and toast and you can go home. MIne was started at 9am and I was home by 1pm an hour away from the hospital. I didn't feel a thing apart from the local anaesthetic in my wrist. First time they released t he bandage a bit too early and my arm was purple from wrist to elbow. Second time I didn't even have a pin prick mark. You are told not to drive yourself because of the sedative but I didn't even feel drowsy.
Hi Gardening flowers,I had a CT angiogram last year and a stent was fitted. I think it all depends on the patient and their pain tolerance level, and also on the skill of the consultant doing the procedure. I got mine in the wrist and did not feel any thing at all until the wire was in my heart. Then it was quite uncomfortable so I was given some more sedation. Everything was explained to me before the procedure. I did not get to see anything as the monitors were turned the other way. As the stent was put in it mimicked a heart attack ( which I was told would happen) The consultant was very good and just talked me through it and breathed with me till it was over , ( by the count of ten) Then I was taken back to the ward and kept in until my wrist had stopped bleeding. I now know what to expect if I needed another one. I would say the experience for me was unpleasant, but not agony!!! just uncomfortable at times. You are very well looked after though. At least I was here in Scotland!!!
Hi Gardening flowers. I have had this procedure twice and 2 stents fitted. Everyone else here has covered the procedure well. The first one was not pleasant for me - small veins and arteries I think but 2nd procedure was simply great! Yes it is cold in the room and yes dozens of people doing stuff! You may feel discomfort but don't be afraid to say so - loudly and clearly. I think it is unusual to feel much so don't be afraid - you'll be fine and having tea and a sandwich in no time. It is simply wonderful that all this can be done.
Hi Gardening flowers - do get some gardening in before as probably for a week after, if they go in through your wrist, you'll want to keep to lighter tasks (I was poor at this and then wondered why my wrist hurt and I had a big bruise!).
It's cold! As others have mentioned - so keep those delightful hospital socks on and wear a double gown.
For me I was pleased I know some 'stress breathing techniques' as had never ever been in a room full of folks just lying still. Though I'm sure the beta blockers also helped. Breathing techniques also helped me relax into the coolness.
The staff were so friendly but of course can't come close during the procedure as they'd get too exposed, so expect some chit chat and then quiet concentration!
And for ladies out there with the unusual situation of being on the worse day of your period at the same time as being given a fist full of anti-coagulants - that was my only scary bit, having had such a nice couple of hours relaxing after the angiogram listening to podcasts, think a years worth of periods came at once...had to ask the nurse for some more pads; he couldn't believe how big the NHS issue ones were, while I was grateful!!! But thankfully - and guess that is why it's magic three hours of rest, to let the anti-cogaulants mainly leave your system - my super period gave up (I drank a LOT of water and great excuse for hot choc-biscuits, like donating blood!), and I went home.
I would be happy to go through it again - but would work to avoid my period next time!
I agree with the previous posts. I was absolutely scared stiff but hardly any pain at all, even though I have a low pain threshold. The staff are marvellous and you are talked through the whole procedure. I needed a stent fitted whilst I was there and it all went smoothly.I'm quite an anxious person and a scaredy cat but there was no need to be.
Lily
