If you receive instructions to shave the groin area, follow these instructions. If you don’t get instructions to shave the area, it means the nurse will do it for you when you come to the hospital.

• • Inform the cardiologist or nurse if you have a known allergy to x-ray dye, iodine, shellfish, or any other allergies.
  • You will change into a hospital gown.
  • The nurse will ask you some questions about your health history.
  • An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be done. This is a painless recording of the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm to detect irregular heartbeats and/or heart damage.
  • An intravenous (IV) will be inserted and IV fluids will be started.
  • The doctor will decide whether the radial (wrist) or femoral (groin) access site will be used for the procedure.
  • The nurse will shave around your groin and upper thigh area.
  • You may watch a video about the angiogram.

• You may receive medication to help you relax just before the angiogram but you will be awake throughout the procedure.

Operation: usually takes 1 hour or more

• You will go to the catheterization lab for the angiogram.
• You will lie on an x-ray table. The nurse will connect you to a heart monitor.
• The nurse will clean the area chosen for the angiogram with a cleaning solution. Do not touch this area once it is cleaned.
• The nurse will place a sterile (germ-free) drape over you to keep the area clean.
• The cardiologist will inject a local anesthetic (freezing) into the groin area or wrist area (radial artery).
• Once the area is frozen, the cardiologist will insert a sheath (like a large IV) into the femoral artery (located in the groin area) or radial artery.
• Through this sheath, the cardiologist will guide small catheters (wires) into the coronary arteries.
• Small amounts of dye will be injected through these catheters to see the coronary arteries. It is normal to feel a warm sensation at this time.
• Be prepared to hold your breath and give a deep cough if the cardiologist asks you.
• It is normal to feel some mild discomforts during the angiogram. However, tell the cardiologist if you are not comfortable or having pain.
• Once we have enough pictures of your coronary (heart) arteries, the cardiologist will remove the guide wires but leave the sheath in.
• You will return to the recovery area.

Transfers: To Hotel, Hospital and the Airport

4-Star Hotel: Receive a 4-star accommodation depending on availability

Post-Operative: Aftercare as standard within our packages

• The nurse may connect you to the heart monitor.
• The nurse will check your blood pressure, pulse and heart rhythm frequently.
• The nurse will check your groin and feet pulses frequently.
• You may be connected to IV fluids to help clear the x-ray dye from your kidneys.
• You are encouraged to drink a lot of clear fluids to help clear the x-ray dye from your kidneys.
• You may not eat until the nurse tells you it is okay. Eating too soon may cause complications such as bleeding.
• It is normal to feel discomforts after the angiogram. However, it is important to tell the nurse if you are not comfortable or having pain.

Escort Interpreter: Greet you and help to check in and admit

Obtaining a visa (extra charge)

Booking airline tickets (extra charge)

Recreational tours (extra charge)

VIP services (extra charge)

Insurance and legal services (extra charge)

Further Information:  

• No driving in the first 24 hours. Unnecessary moving can cause bleeding from the femoral (groin) artery in the leg.
• We strongly recommend you have someone accompany you when you leave the hospital and that you make arrangements for someone to stay with you overnight after the angiogram. This is for your safety as you may have received sedatives and in case you start bleeding. If you cannot arrange this, your procedure may have to be re-booked.
• Avoid having a bath for a day or two. You can still take a shower, but try to keep the wound as dry as possible.
• If you have a plaster on your groin, it can be removed the day after the procedure and it doesn’t usually need to be replaced.
• Avoid playing sport, excessive activity or lifting anything heavy for about 2 days.

Complications

Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography are usually very safe.

But as with all procedures, there are some risks, including:

• being allergic to the contrast dye – this is uncommon, but you should discuss any allergies you have with your cardiologist (heart specialist) before having the procedure.
• bleeding under the skin where the catheter was inserted – this should stop after a few days, but you should contact your GP if you’re concerned about it.
• a very small risk of more serious complications, including damage to the artery in the arm or leg where the catheter was inserted, heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and, very rarely, death.