• Angioplasty - is a specialist treatment for narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

• Angiogram - is a test, which examines how well the heart is working and if there is any narrowing of the coronary (heart) arteries. If these are narrowed patients’ may complain of chest discomfort, or, if suddenly blocked, a heart attack. This test helps decide on the best way to treat the condition, i.e. tablets, angioplasty, bypass or a combination, by finding out how many narrowings are present and how tight these are.

Access to Service:

For Angiogram testing patients may be referred in two ways:

• Through the Mater Cardiologist Outpatient Clinic.
• From a Consultant in another Hospital who sends a written referral to the Mater Cardiologist who will prioritise the test. Patients may then be brought to the Mater by ambulance from the hospital where they are an inpatient, have the test and be transferred back to the referring hospital. Patients may also be admitted for a day case to Saint Peter’s Ward