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Left heart ventricular angiography |
| Definition: |
| This procedure is a study of the left side of the heart and sometimes the heart's arteries. A contrast media is injected through a catheter (thin flexible tube) into the heart followed by a rapid succession of X-rays to capture blood flow. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Angiography - left heart; Left cardiac catheterization; Left ventriculography
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| How the test is performed: |
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You are given a mild sedative prior to the test. An intravenous line is started in your arm to allow for the administration of medication during the procedure. A radiologist or cardiologist then inserts a catheter through a small incision in an artery in your arm or groin after cleansing the site and numbing the site with a local anesthetic. The catheter is then carefully threaded into your heart using X-ray images called fluoroscopy to guide the insertion. When the catheter is in place, dye is injected to view the left heart, the blood vessels that supply the heart (i.e., coronary arteries), or both. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| Food and fluid are restricted for 6 to 8 hours before the test. The procedure takes place in the hospital. Sometimes, admission the night before the test is required. Otherwise, admission as an outpatient or inpatient on the morning of the procedure is required. An explanation of the procedure and its risks is provided by a health care provider. You must sign a consent form for the procedure. You will be given a mild sedative 1/2 hour before the procedure. The procedure may last from 1 to several hours. You will wear hospital clothing. Infants and children: The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
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The procedure takes place in a radiology department or cardiac diagnostic laboratory. You will be given sedation to relax prior to the procedure, but you are awake and able to follow instructions during the test. You will remain on a stretcher for the duration of the test. An insertion is made into an artery in your arm, neck, or groin for threading the catheter into your heart. You are given local anesthesia to insert the catheter, and the only sensation is one of pressure at the site. Occasionally, a flushing sensation occurs after the contrast media is injected. Discomfort may arise from having to lie still for prolonged periods of time. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| Left heart angiography is performed to detect abnormalities in blood flow through the left side of the heart, abnormalities of the left cardiac valves, or coronary obstructions. |
| Normal Values: |
| Normal blood flow through the left side of the heart, plus normal volumes and pressures are the expected result. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
| Left atrial abnormalities may be present. Left ventricular abnormalities or dysfunction may be present. Valve diseases may need to be documented. Coronary angiography may be needed when obstruction(s) of the coronary arteries is (are) suspected. |
| What the risks are: |
| Risks of the procedure are cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac tamponade, trauma to the vein or artery, low blood pressure, infection, embolism from blood clots at the tip of the catheter, reaction to contrast medium, hemorrhage, stroke, and heart attack. |
| Special considerations: |
| Right heart catheterization may be combined with this procedure. |
Reviewed By: Elena Sgarbossa, MD, Section of Cardiology, Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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