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Cardiolucent

Procedure

Coronary Angiography

An invasive imaging procedure that visualizes the coronary arteries directly with contrast dye and X-ray. Coordinated for Cardiolucent members at major Los Angeles institutions.

What it is

The gold-standard test for coronary anatomy.

Coronary angiography is the definitive test for visualizing the coronary arteries — the vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle itself. A thin catheter is advanced from the wrist or groin into the openings of the coronary arteries, iodinated contrast is injected, and high-resolution X-ray images map the arterial anatomy in real time. It identifies the presence, location, and severity of blockages with a precision noninvasive imaging cannot match.

We coordinate; we do not perform in-office.

Coronary angiography is a hospital procedure, performed in a cardiac catheterization lab by an interventional cardiologist. Dr. Kedan does not perform angiography himself — when it's indicated, he coordinates the referral to a trusted interventional colleague at Cedars-Sinai or another major Los Angeles institution. Cardiolucent members receive a white-glove pathway: pre-procedure planning, direct communication with the cath-lab team, and post-procedure follow-up coordinated through our office.

Chest pain that needs an answer, or a noninvasive test that flagged disease.

Common indications include unstable or unexplained chest pain, an abnormal stress test, a high coronary calcium score with symptoms, suspected acute coronary syndrome, or follow-up after a prior cardiac intervention. The decision to proceed to invasive angiography is always weighed against the lower-risk noninvasive alternatives — coronary CT angiography, stress echo, nuclear stress — and made deliberately, not reflexively.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coronary angiography performed at Cardiolucent?
No. It is a hospital procedure that requires a cardiac catheterization lab. Dr. Kedan coordinates the referral and the entire surrounding pathway — pre-procedure planning, communication with the interventional team at Cedars-Sinai or the institution best suited to your case, and post-procedure follow-up.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure itself typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Expect to spend 4 to 6 hours at the facility for prep, the procedure, recovery, and discharge instructions. If the test is purely diagnostic (no intervention), most patients go home the same day.
What are the risks?
Coronary angiography is a low-risk procedure in experienced hands, but it is invasive. Risks include bleeding at the access site, contrast reactions, kidney effects from the dye (especially in patients with pre-existing kidney disease), and very rarely vessel injury, stroke, or arrhythmia. Risk is meaningfully higher if the procedure proceeds to intervention (stenting) — your interventional team will walk through the specifics with you in advance.
How do I prepare?
You'll typically be asked to fast for 6 hours beforehand, hold certain medications (notably some blood thinners and diabetes drugs) per the cath-lab team's instructions, and arrange transportation home. Dr. Kedan will go through the full prep checklist with you before the appointment.
What happens after?
You'll get a written and verbal summary of findings on the same day. Dr. Kedan reviews the results with you in follow-up, integrates them with the rest of your cardiovascular workup, and either confirms the existing management plan or revises it based on what was found.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.