|
Home l Site
Map l Contact l Links |
|
|
 |
-
Definition
In order to visualize the obstacle localized on the heart artery and responsible for the infarct, it is necessary to analyse this artery but also the whole coronary arteries during a radiological exam. Its principle is to inject directly into the arteries of the heart a radiological product showing a contrast visible on an x-ray. It is fundamental to search for an allergy to the iodine in the patient benefiting from this exam because the product injected into the heart arteries (coronary arteries) is an iodised product. The coronarography, literally meaning the “the coronary arteries x-ray”, is an exam requiring puncturing a member artery in order to introduce a pipe directly into the coronary arteries; a product impervious to X-rays will be injected through that pipe. This exam is generally painless. It lasts 15 to 20 minutes and its result is immediate. The risks are relatively rare, around 3 to 5 complications for 1000 exams implemented, and correspond to a massive myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accidents, and embolisms in the limbs. 1 - Description of the technique To inject this product into the coronary arteries, it is imperative to introduce a hollow pipe up to their origin, i.e. into the aorta (artery coming out of the heart), practically at the heart level. Thus, this pipe is introduced through an artery, and then travels in the arterial network up to the aorta thus joining the origin of the coronary arteries. a - Implanting the introducing device The first step of this work consists, after local anaesthesia, to puncture an artery of a member to put a big calibre pipe,which is in fact an introducing device. The artery situated at the fold of the groin, the femoral artery, is often chosen to achieve this exam. Sometimes, the radial artery (artery of the arm) can be used.
The introducing device is implanted into the artery of the fold of the groin (femoral artery). b - Passage of the pipe by the introducing device Once the introducing device has been implanted in the artery (a generally painless gesture), the pipe used to inject the radiological contrast product is introduced into the artery, and then routed through the aorta up to the level of the coronary arteries starting point. This pipe will be inserted at the origin of the coronary artery localized on the right side of theheart, and then the radiological contrast product will be injected very quickly, in order to make this artery opaque. Concomitantly, a radiological film is recorded and permits observing the whole right coronary artery. Then, the pipe is turned and placed at the origin of the left coronary artery. The sequences are then identical to those described for the right coronary artery. 2 - Conditions of exam The physician insures that his patient is not allergic to iodine particularly because, in this case, he should administer him anti-allergic drugs such as the corticoids. Stress killers are very often administered just before carrying out the coronarography; the patient’s stomach is empty and anti-coagulant treatments are stopped. During the achievement of the coronarography, the patient is naked, in stretched out position on his back. 3 – Results a. Normal coronarography The pictures below are those of a normal coronarography, showing the different heart arteries.
Visualization of a coronary artery (the right coronary artery) and of the guide allowing the injection of a radiological product impervious to x-rays situated at the top of the photo. b. Abnormal coronarography A coronarography is abnormal when a reduction of the artery internal diameter, responsible for a reduction of the blood flow, exists. Below, are represented strictures of the inner part of a heart artery, called “stenosises”.
Visualization of a complete obstruction of an artery (the right coronary artery). File last modified on july 24, 2006 |
|
 |
|
AFTER
THE MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE PHYSICIAN MUST VISUALIZE THE HEART ARTERIES: ACHIEVEMENT
OF THE CORONAROGRAPHY
Informations
on Heart & Vessels are only given by doctors who are specialized
in cardiology.