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DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATIONS: CLINICAL LABOROTARYTESTS - SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS - CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY - TO WHAT USE IS THE INFORMATION OBTAINED ON CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY PUT TO ? IF BYPASS SURGERY IS NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY OR IF THE PATIENT IS NOT PREPARED TO CONSIDER SURGERY AT ALL, SHOULD HE UNDERGO CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY ?

Q. To what use is the information obtained on coronary angiography put to ?

A. If any critical narrowing of the coronary arteries is found in a major vessel, bypass operation is advised. Depending upon the number of obstructions, a one-, two-, or three-vessel bypass surgery may be necessary. If, on ventriculography, a localised area of disrupted movement of the ventricular wall is observed, it is inferred as scar tissue after an infarction. Softening and thinning of the ventricular wall in the scar tissue may occur causing the aneurysm to form. These changes interfere with normal contraction of the ventricle and its pumping action. Surgical removal of the aneurysm

After angiography the patient should decide promptly about going in for surgery. If the delay is too long, a repeat angiogram becomes necessary.

Q. If bypass surgery is not considered necessary or if the patient is not prepared to consider surgery at all, should he undergo coronary angiography ?

A. Coronary angiography gives precise information about the location of obstructive lesions in the coronary arteries, which is essential for carrying out surgery. This information does not improve medical treatment. If surgery is not contemplated, there is no point in submitting the patient to the risk and expense of coronary angiography.

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Cardio & Blood