Grasping the Difference Between Angioplasty and Angiography: A Detailed Guide

Understand the key differences between angioplasty and angiography, two crucial cardiovascular procedures used to diagnose and treat heart diseases.

In India, cardiovascular diseases happen to be the most prominent health issue, accounting for almost 28 percent of deaths annually. Among the medical procedures being used to diagnose & treat such diseases, angiography and angioplasty are among the two most commonly performed ones. As per India’s National Health Portal, over two lakh angioplasties and around five lakh angiograms are being performed every year across India. Such a surge in these numbers emphasizes the criticality of fathoming the difference between angiography and angioplasty as they play a central role in treating various cardiac diseases.

Table of Contents

• What Is Angioplasty?
• How Is Angioplasty Performed?
• Angioplasty Benefits
• What Is Angiography?
• Angiography Vs Angiogram – How Is Angiography Performed?
• Angiography Benefits
• Difference Between Angioplasty and Angiography
• Dr. Arun Hari for Cardiac Treatment
• Dr. Arun Hari’s Approach
• Committed to Care!
• Contact Dr. Arun Hari

What Is Angioplasty?

Angioplasty happens to be a minimally invasive surgery for opening blocked/narrowed coronary arteries. Such a procedure is usually recommended for patients having severe coronary artery disease, wherein, the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle tend to become narrowed/blocked, which results in reduced blood flow.

How Is Angioplasty Performed?

During angioplasty, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin, arm, or wrist, which is blocked by a coronary artery. Once this catheter reaches the affected area, a small balloon at the catheter’s tip is inflated. This balloon pushes plaque (which is the buildup of fatty deposits) against the artery wall. This widens the artery. It leads to improved blood flow to the heart. Often, a small wire mesh tube (which is known as the stent) is also inserted into the artery for keeping it open after the surgery.

Angioplasty Benefits

There are a number of advantages of angioplasty. They may include much reduced chest pain (angina), improved heart functioning, and reduced risk of heart attacks. Such a procedure is significant for patients who are not candidates for CAGB (coronary-artery-bypass-grafting) or who need immediate intervention due to acute coronary syndromes.

What Is Angiography?

Angiography happens to be a diagnostic imaging procedure, which visualises the inside of blood vessels as well as organs, specifically the arteries, veins, & heart chambers. Such a procedure tends to help in detecting blockages or abnormalities in blood vessels, which may be causing serious cardiovascular disease.

Angiography Vs Angiogram – How Is Angiography Performed?

During an Angiography, a special dye, which is visible on x-rays, is injected into the blood vessels. This dye helps in highlighting the blood vessels on x-rays. This allows your doctor to see areas where blood flow might be restricted or blocked. The image thus obtained from an angiography is called an angiogram.

Angiography Benefits

Let us look at angioplasty versus angiogram! Angiography is usually used to diagnose conditions including aneurysms, coronary artery disease, & peripheral artery disease. It also helps plan treatments including angioplasty & surgery. The procedure is usually performed in a hospital, but it can also be performed on an outpatient basis. Patients undergoing angiography are usually encouraged to rest for a few hours after the procedure. Slight discomfort might happen at the catheter’s insertion spot.

Difference Between Angioplasty and Angiography

Fathoming the difference between angiography and angioplasty is crucial for patients as well as healthcare professionals. The two procedures are closely related and are often performed together, but they have distinct purposes. Let us look at angioplasty vs angiography! Well! Angiography and angioplasty are complementary procedures, which are usually used together in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Angiography helps diagnose the problem, and angioplasty corrects it by treating the blocked artery. The choice of which one to use depends on the patient’s individual condition and the severity of the condition.

Angiography versus angioplasty: Angiography is primarily a diagnostic tool. It is used to identify the location & severity of blockages as well as other abnormalities in blood vessels. The images obtained during angiography serve as the basis for treatment planning and determine whether a patient requires angioplasty, surgery, or any other such procedure. In contrast, angioplasty is a therapeutic procedure. It is used to unclog arteries & improve blood flow. While an angiogram happens to be the 1st step in diagnosing a heart-related issue, angioplasty is one of the treatment options, which may follow if a blockage is detected.

Angioplasty vs angiogram: Another key difference between the two is the result. The result of an angiography is an angiogram, a picture that provides detailed information about your blood vessels. However, the result of angioplasty is the physical widening of the blocked arteries and is often accompanied by the placement of a stent to keep the artery open.

Angiogram angioplasty difference: While angiography is a purely diagnostic procedure with minimal risks, angioplasty does carry some risks associated with the actual procedure, like arterial damage, bleeding, or the rare but potential risk of heart attack or stroke during the procedure.

Dr. Arun Hari for Cardiac Treatment

When it comes to treating heart conditions, it is crucial to consult an experienced specialist who can provide you with the best care. Dr. Arun Hari is a renowned cardiologist with extensive expertise in angioplasty and angiography among other cardiovascular procedures. He is currently affiliated with the Department of Interventional Cardiology at LLH Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dr. Arun Hari’s Approach

Dr. Hari’s approach to patient care is based on individualised treatment plans suited to the distinctive requirements of each patient. With a deep understanding of the difference between angioplasty and angiography, he ensures that his patients receive the most appropriate diagnostic & therapeutic procedures. His expertise in performing both these procedures provides a seamless process from diagnosis to treatment, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Committed to Care!

Patients experiencing symptoms of coronary artery disease like shortness of breath, chest pain & fatigue are encouraged to contact Dr. Hari. His Department of Interventional Cardiology at LLH Hospital, in Abu Dhabi is equipped with best-in-class equipment to perform angiograms & angioplasty procedures accurately & carefully. Also, Dr. Arun is committed to patient education and takes the time to explain the difference between angiography and angioplasty so that patients can make an informed decision about their treatment options.

Contact Dr. Arun Hari

For patients in Abu Dhabi & surrounding areas in the UAE, Doctor Hari at the LLH Hospital offers comprehensive cardiology services. Whether you need a routine heart check-up, a diagnostic angiogram, or a therapeutic angioplasty, you can trust Dr. Hari and his team to provide the highest standard of care.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between angioplasty and angiography is crucial for anyone dealing with cardiovascular issues. Both procedures tend to play a key role in diagnosing & treating heart diseases. Doctor Arun Hari can make all the difference to your treatment success! Whether you need an angioplasty differential analysis with angiography or a comprehensive heart treatment procedure, Dr. Hari can be your stellar choice for complete cardiac care in Abu Dhabi.