Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiogram, Angioplasty

Cardiac Catheterization is a test which involves taking photographs and moving images for venticular function, coronary arteries and coronary angiogram and it serves as a guide in interventional elimination of cardiologic disorders. Hacettepe University Cardiology catheter laboratory has given service for about 35 years and approximately 3500 procedures are performed annually. The laboratory is comprised of 2 coronary angiogram rooms and 1 electrophysiological study room. It was revised at February 2002 and equipped with state-of-art devices (Siemens 2000 coroscop). It gives service until evening from 08:00 a.m. on weekdays.

In general, coronary angiogram comes to mind when it is said cardiac catetherisation. Coronary angiogram is generally performed in the event of a strong clinical suspect of coronary heart disease or due to an abnormal non-invasive evaluation. The aim is to identify the spread and the criticality of heart disease and determine the treatment option to be applied (bypass surgery, angioplasty and medical treatment).

Cardiologists can use cardiac catheters in order to expand a narrowed heart valve, coronary artery or a bypass graft. In addition to classic balloons, atherectomy devices, stent or laser angioplasty can also be used in order to open blocked or narrowed vessels. Stents are steel structures which prevent the walls of vessels from sticking to each other and keep the vessel in an open status.

Angioplasty (PTCA) involves opening a narrowed or blocked coronary vessel without performing a surgery or applying general anesthesia. The introduction of coronary stents into use and successfull application of other new techniques and assistive antiplatelet treatment in our day has resulted in increasing types and number of blockages to which angioplasty is applied, yet the need for bypass is reduced down.

Hacettepe Cardiology Catheter Laboratory offers emergency angioplasty opportunity for patients with acute myocardial infarction on a 24-7 basis.

Heart angiogram is a test method which involves entering into the leg artery, or in the event that this vessel is not favorable, into the arm artery in order to identify the structure of heart vessels, contraction strength of heart muscle, the status of norrowness and leakage of heart valves. General anesthesia is not applied to the patient during the procedure; only the entered area is locally anesthetised. It is not a painful procedure and can generally be performed within a short period of time. As primary artery is entered into, patients are given bed rest for a while,so that bleeding does not occur after the procedure. The patient is hospitalized during this period and all of the needs of the patient are fulfilled without moving out from the bed. The patient is discharged after one day of follow-up.

Heart angiogram is not a treatment method. It is only a test and the treatment plan is made in accordance with the result of this test.

Similar to every invasive method, heart angiogram also poses certain risks. Bleeding from the place of procedure, injury of the entered artery, nausea-vomiting during procedure, allergic reaction against medication administered during angiogram, occurance of infection due to failure to keep the place of procedure clean are the most common adverse effects. Besides these, more critical adverse effects which are less common can also occur. These effects can be seen more frequently particularly in the event that the procedure is performed in emergency situation. In order to minimize these undesired effects, you should cooperate with the hospital and inform your physician on the medication you are on, your other diseases and known medication allergies.

Considerations before cardiac catheterisation, coronary angiogram, angioplasty

• Keeping an empty stomach is required for at least 12 hours, starting from the night before.

• Shave of both of the groin areas and take a shower. Shave off the groin area by including all of front, side and rear areas of the leg.

• Bring along the medication you are on.

• Ask your physician if you would need to stop taking any of your medication on the day before your angiogram appointment.

• Particularly, diabetic patients should not use their medication for this disease (insulin or pills) on the morning of the appointment; otherwise your blood glucose can drop down to unfavorable levels.

• You should definitely remember to bring along your Retirement Fund (Emekli Sandigi) / Social Security Organization for Artisans and the Self-Employed (Bag-Kur) health record / all of your documents regarding SSI dispatch, your private life insurance card or institutional dispatch document with you.

• Please confirm the validity and expiry date of official documents such as dispatch report before the appointment day.

• You should bring along your hospital file if it is at your home.

• You should bring along the report of your previous angiogram, if any.

• You should bring the report of your previous heart surgeries, if any.

• You should bring along all of your blood test results, X-rays and, if any, reports about your disease with you.

• You can bring pajamas or sweat suit and slippers while you come to be hospitalized.

• Do not bring any valuable items or jewelry.

• One person can be accepted as an all-day visitor if the patient wishes.