Diagnostic coronary angiography

Coronary angiography is the reference examination ("gold standard") for exploring the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply the heart muscle. It involves inserting a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into an artery, usually the radial artery at the wrist or the femoral artery at the groin, and guiding it to the openings of the coronary arteries under X-ray guidance. An iodinated contrast agent is then injected to visualize the inside of the coronary arteries on a fluoroscopy screen. This examination provides a precise picture of the anatomy of the coronary arteries and detects and quantifies stenoses (narrowings), occlusions, congenital abnormalities and atheromatous lesions. Coronary angiography is essential for deciding on myocardial revascularization, whether percutaneous (angioplasty with stenting) or surgical (coronary bypass). Coronary angiography is generally performed after non-invasive tests (exercise ECG, stress echocardiography, myocardial scintigraphy) have revealed signs suggestive of coronary artery disease. It is also performed as an emergency in acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction) to identify and immediately treat the artery responsible. At the Clinique Pasteur in Tunis, coronary angiography is performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory equipped with the latest technology. The clinic's interventional cardiologists are highly experienced and perform a large volume of procedures, guaranteeing a high level of quality and safety.