What is the primary purpose of diagnostic coronary angiography?

What is the primary purpose of diagnostic coronary angiography?

• A. To visualize coronary arteries for identifying stenosis, occlusions, and anomalies to guide diagnosis and potential revascularization planning.
• B. To measure systemic blood pressure inside the aorta.
• C. To assess left ventricular ejection fraction by echocardiography.
• D. To evaluate pulmonary ventilation.

Answer: (A)

Diagnostic coronary angiography is about mapping the coronary arterial tree to see where narrowing, blockages, or anomalies exist. By injecting contrast through a catheter, it produces images of the coronary lumen that reveal stenosis or occlusions and help determine how the disease might be treated, whether with medical therapy, PCI, or bypass surgery. The other options refer to different tests: measuring blood pressure inside the aorta with an arterial line, assessing left ventricular function with echocardiography, or evaluating lung ventilation—none of which are the primary purpose of diagnostic coronary angiography.

Diagnostic coronary angiography is about mapping the coronary arterial tree to see where narrowing, blockages, or anomalies exist. By injecting contrast through a catheter, it produces images of the coronary lumen that reveal stenosis or occlusions and help determine how the disease might be treated, whether with medical therapy, PCI, or bypass surgery. The other options refer to different tests: measuring blood pressure inside the aorta with an arterial line, assessing left ventricular function with echocardiography, or evaluating lung ventilation—none of which are the primary purpose of diagnostic coronary angiography.