Coronary angiography is an imaging test used to diagnose and treat heart disease, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. During the test a thin tube is inserted into the arm, groin or neck and threaded up through the blood vessels to the heart. The tube, called a catheter, is used to inject a special dye that makes the blood vessels that feed the heart visible on x-rays. The x-rays can tell doctors whether blood is flowing normally or whether there are blockages or narrow areas that are causing heart disease. The risk of serious complications ranges up to about 1 in 500 procedures, according to MedlinePlus. Complications are most likely to occur in women, people more than 75 years old and those who have the procedure in an emergency.
Procedure Risks
A coronary angiogram can cause bleeding, bruising, infection or pain at the site in the neck, groin or arm where the catheter is inserted, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Some people have an allergic reaction to the dye that is injected. There is a slight chance that the blood vessels themselves will be damaged during the procedure. This can happen if the catheter scratches or even punctures a blood vessel as it is threaded up to reach the heart.
Heart Damage
The procedure can prompt the heart to start beating irregularly, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. This may clear up naturally, but sometimes treatment is required to fix the problem. Also, there is a risk that a blood clot will be caused by the procedure and this can cause a heart attack. There is also a risk that blood or other fluid will collect in the sac that surrounds the heart and can cause the heart to malfunction.
Other Risks
Sometimes, the procedure causes low blood pressure, according to National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. If blood clots are generated, they can travel to the brain and cause a stroke or to other areas of the body where they can also cause serious problems. Also, the dye can sometimes damage the kidneys. This risk is higher if the patient has diabetes or kidney disease. Because x-rays are used, there is some exposure to radiation in this procedure.
