What does a coronary angiogram evaluate?

What does a coronary angiogram evaluate?

• A. Coronary arteries for CAD
• B. Aortic valve function
• C. LV wall motion
• D. Pulmonary vasculature

Answer: (A)

Coronary angiography is used to visualize the heart’s blood supply. By injecting contrast into the coronary arteries, it creates X-ray images that reveal the lumen and show any narrowing or blockages caused by atherosclerosis. This information directly tells us whether coronary arteries are affected by CAD and guides decisions about revascularization. Other structures aren’t the primary focus of this test. Aortic valve function is best assessed with echocardiography. LV wall motion is evaluated with ventriculography or echocardiography to judge how well the heart muscle contracts. The pulmonary vasculature is evaluated with separate imaging like CT angiography or ventilation–perfusion studies, not routine coronary angiography.

Coronary angiography is used to visualize the heart’s blood supply. By injecting contrast into the coronary arteries, it creates X-ray images that reveal the lumen and show any narrowing or blockages caused by atherosclerosis. This information directly tells us whether coronary arteries are affected by CAD and guides decisions about revascularization.

Other structures aren’t the primary focus of this test. Aortic valve function is best assessed with echocardiography. LV wall motion is evaluated with ventriculography or echocardiography to judge how well the heart muscle contracts. The pulmonary vasculature is evaluated with separate imaging like CT angiography or ventilation–perfusion studies, not routine coronary angiography.