Coronary Angiography & Angioplasty (PTCA)

Coronary angiography is a specialised imaging procedure used to examine the coronary arteries and identify areas of narrowing or blockage. A thin catheter is introduced through a blood vessel and guided towards the heart, allowing contrast material to be delivered into the coronary arteries for detailed imaging.

When a significant coronary narrowing is identified and intervention is appropriate, angioplasty or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) may be performed during the same treatment setting. A balloon catheter is used to widen the narrowed section of the artery, and a coronary stent may be placed when required to help maintain vessel patency.

The procedure is performed using catheter-based techniques and generally avoids the need for open-chest surgery. The choice between medical treatment, angioplasty and other treatment strategies depends on the coronary anatomy, extent of disease, symptoms and overall clinical assessment.