Coronary Angiography in Germany

Coronary angiography, or coronarography, — is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure during which the doctor studies the heart vessels using a contrast agent. The technique allows identifying various pathologies, including coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, as well as preventing cardiac arrest due to arterial blockage. You can undergo the procedure without prolonged hospitalization in German clinics.

Indications for the Study

Doctors recommend coronary angiography for:

suspected coronary heart disease;
low effectiveness of drug treatment for angina;
complaints of chest pain of unclear origin;
development of acute coronary syndrome (pre-infarction state);
planned operations for heart valve replacement or aortic aneurysm repair.

Coronary angiography — is the gold standard in diagnosing coronary heart disease. This is the most reliable method, surpassing other diagnostic procedures in terms of accuracy. During the procedure, the doctor determines the location and degree of narrowing of the coronary vessels. The specialist's conclusion allows selecting a treatment strategy individual for each patient, as well as assessing the condition of the arteries after intervention.

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Possible Contraindications

Coronary angiography is not prescribed for:

intolerance to iodine-containing contrast agent;
hemostasis disorders;
stroke;
anemia;
bleeding;
uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia;
acute infectious diseases.

There are no age restrictions for the procedure. In addition, the procedure can be performed in the presence of contraindications if its diagnostic value is higher than the potential risks for the patient.

Preparation for the Study

Angiography does not require complex preparation. Preliminary hospitalization is not needed. The procedure is performed on an empty stomach, so the last meal should be the evening before. This is necessary to avoid vomiting.

Before a planned coronary angiography, the patient may be prescribed a number of tests and instrumental diagnostic procedures, including:

general and biochemical blood test;
coagulogram;
blood type and Rh factor determination;
testing for hepatitis B, C, HIV;
heart ultrasound;
ECG;
stress test.

Types of Coronary Angiography

The diagnostic procedure can be performed by three different methods:

Interventional coronary angiography. This is the most common technique. This approach involves filling the vascular bed with a contrast agent and monitoring using X-ray equipment.
CT coronary angiography. In this case, the doctor uses a contrast agent, but it is injected not into the artery, but into the cubital vein on the right side. Then contrast scanning using computed tomography is started. In cardiology, the MSCT method is most in demand — multislice computed tomography, which allows obtaining clear images with minimal time expenditure thanks to the special design of the device.
Ultrasound coronary angiography. This is the least common diagnostic technique, the essence of which is to insert a catheter equipped with an ultrasound sensor into the artery.

The study can be general, when all coronary arteries are examined. This is the classic version of diagnosing heart pathologies. The result is recorded on a disc for further study by the doctor. The second option for coronary angiography — is selective, when the specialist examines vessels selectively. The advantage of this approach — is time saving and the ability to repeat to obtain images in different projections.

How Coronary Angiography is Performed

Coronary angiography — is a painless procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis in an operating room equipped with X-ray equipment and lasts from 30 to 60 minutes. The patient is conscious, but in rare cases anesthesia may be used.

Coronary angiography is performed by an endovascular surgeon, who during the procedure:

studies the anatomical structure of the coronary arteries;
determines the degree of narrowing of the arterial lumen;
compares narrowed areas with unchanged ones;
identifies the length of the affected area;
establishes the presence of collateral vessels — bypass blood flow pathways.

Stages of Coronary Angiography

The diagnostic procedure is performed in several stages:

The patient is connected to ECG sensors.
The doctor selects the operating field — a vessel in the groin area, on the arm, neck or thigh. In German clinics, emphasis is placed on the radial method — access through the artery at the wrist. The site is treated with an antiseptic. Local anesthetics are used for pain relief.
A catheter is installed in the blood vessel — a thin tube that moves to the mouth of the artery under X-ray control. This is a painless stage, since the lumen of blood vessels lacks nerve endings.
A contrast agent is delivered through the installed catheter — a dye containing iodine. Through the artery, it reaches the heart and its vessels.
The doctor makes a video recording and takes a series of X-ray images.
The catheter is removed from the artery.
The puncture site is closed with a special suturing device. A pressure bandage is applied on top.

Recovery After Coronary Angiography

After the procedure, the patient remains in the hospital under medical supervision for several more hours — from 5 to 10 depending on blood clotting indicators and general well-being. You can eat immediately after the intervention. To quickly remove the remnants of the contrast agent, it is recommended to drink more fluids.

If the catheter was inserted through the femoral or groin artery, bed rest is required. When performing the procedure through the wrist, restriction of mobility is not required, since the risk of bleeding is minimal.

After catheter placement, minor painful sensations may persist or a small hematoma may form — these are normal consequences that do not require medical intervention.

After discharge from the clinic, it is recommended to:

avoid physical exertion and lifting heavy objects;
avoid stressful situations;
carefully monitor the puncture site and catheter insertion — if there is a change in skin color, local temperature increase, or swelling, medical attention is required.

Possible Complications

As a result of the procedure, the patient may develop:

allergic reactions in the form of skin rash, itching, digestive disorders;
bleeding at the skin puncture site and catheter insertion;
kidney damage by contrast agent;
heart rhythm disturbance;
fluid accumulation in the heart cavities;
myocardial infarction;
blood clot formation;
coronary artery rupture.

Diagnosis with coronary angiography — is a safe procedure that is rarely accompanied by complications. The probability of mild deterioration in the patient's condition does not exceed 2%, and the risk of life-threatening pathologies is less than 0.1%. Elderly people, as well as people with diabetes and kidney failure, are more susceptible to complications.

Coronary Angiography in German Clinics

Coronary angiography in German medical centers — is a painless, fast procedure that allows timely diagnosis of severe heart pathologies and selection of an adequate treatment regimen.

Advantages of undergoing the study in Germany:

highly qualified doctors;
modern operating rooms;
expert-level angiographic equipment;
hospitalization for only 1 day;
comfortable conditions in the hospital;
full range of diagnostic procedures before coronary angiography;
selection of treatment regimen after diagnosis.

Cardiology

German Heart Center Munich

9.5/10 from 23 reviews

Lazarettstraße 36, 80636 München, Germany

German Heart Center Munich

The German Heart Center Munich has a unique concept - treatment of patients of all ages with various heart diseases is carried out in one place.

University

Chief Physician:

Prof. Dr. med. Florian Bassermann

Technical University Clinic "Rechts der Isar"

9.8/10 from 70 reviews

Germany, Munich

Department of Hematology and Oncology

The Department of Hematology and Oncology offers a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services in these fields. The highly qualified team of doctors provides patients with effective treatment of all oncological diseases, blood and lymph pathologies (e.g., leukemia, multiple myeloma).

Multidisciplinary

Munich Municipal Clinics

München, Germany

5 separate clinics with common management

A network of multidisciplinary clinics located in five districts of Munich. They provide a high-class range of medical services. The municipal clinics are academic clinics of both Munich universities.

➤ Bogenhausen Clinic
➤ Harlaching Clinic
➤ Neuperlach Clinic
➤ Schwabing Clinic
➤ Thalkirchner Clinic

Cost of the Procedure

The cost of coronary angiography in Germany depends on the method of access to the heart vessels, as well as the course of the recovery period. Prices are listed in the price list.

If you need to undergo coronary angiography before heart surgery, to rule out pathologies or prescribe treatment, contact our company. We will select a clinic specializing in the treatment of heart and vascular diseases, help with visa processing and organize a transfer to Germany.

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Advantages of treatment in Germany