Coronary Angiography, Angioplasty, and Stenting

Experience a consistent standard of
cardiovascular care.

Coronary angiography, angioplasty, and stenting are advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed to assess and treat blockages in the heart arteries. At The Cardio Clinic, Dr. Tan Jian Jing, a cardiologist, offers these current services with the training and care these procedures require. These minimally invasive procedures are crucial in managing and improving cardiovascular health

Angiography and angioplasty are two stages

Coronary angiography is a diagnostic procedure. A fine catheter is passed from an artery at the wrist or groin up to the origin of the coronary arteries, contrast dye is injected, and X-ray images show the arteries filling. This reveals where narrowings are and how severe they are.

Angioplasty is the treatment that may follow. A balloon on the catheter tip is inflated at the narrowed segment to open it, and in most cases a stent — a small metal mesh tube — is left in place to hold the artery open. Both can sometimes be done in the same session, or the angiogram may be done first and treatment planned afterwards.

What happens during the procedure

You are awake but given local anaesthetic at the access site, and usually a sedative to help you relax. You may feel pressure at the wrist or groin, and a brief warm flush when contrast is injected. Chest discomfort during balloon inflation can occur because blood flow is briefly interrupted, and should be reported to the team at the time.

Afterwards, pressure is applied to the access site to prevent bleeding. Wrist access generally allows earlier mobilisation than groin access, which is one reason it is commonly preferred.

Afterwards and ongoing treatment

If a stent has been placed, antiplatelet medication is prescribed to reduce the risk of a clot forming within the stent. Taking this exactly as directed matters, and it should not be stopped without discussing it with the cardiologist — including before dental work or other surgery, where the treating team should be told about the stent.

Angioplasty treats a specific narrowing; it does not treat the underlying process that caused it. Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and physical activity all continue to matter afterwards.

Risks and what to watch for

As an invasive procedure involving arterial access, contrast dye and X-rays, angiography and angioplasty carry recognised risks, which are discussed individually before consent since they depend on your own circumstances and kidney function.

After discharge, seek urgent medical attention for chest pain resembling the symptoms that led to the procedure, bleeding or a rapidly expanding swelling at the access site, or a cold, pale or numb hand or leg. In an emergency in Singapore, call 995. For questions about the procedure at any of the three clinic locations, please contact the clinic.