Invasive coronary angiography for patients with low risk, stable chest pain

For the treatment of

Diagnosing coronary artery disease

Commissioning position

This intervention is only commissioned when used in accordance with the recommendations specified in the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) Evidence Based Interventions (EBI) programme: Diagnostic coronary angiography for low risk, stable chest pain - EBI

Summary of rationale

NICE guidelines state that if stable angina cannot be excluded by clinical assessment, 64-slice (or higher) CT coronary angiography should be the first-line test. Cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiography are generally safe but carry some risks, including:

  • Bruising or haematoma at the insertion site
  • Allergic reaction to contrast

Rare complications: arterial damage, heart attack, stroke, kidney injury, or death (serious complications occur in less than 1 in 1,000 cases; those with severe heart conditions are most at risk).

References

Diagnostic coronary angiography for low risk, stable chest pain - EBI

Associated Pathways

There are no associated pathways.

Specialties

Cardiology York Cardiology North Yorkshire Cardiology Hull Cardiology East Riding Cardiology North Lincolnshire Cardiology North East Lincolnshire Diagnostics York Diagnostics Hull Diagnostics East Riding Diagnostics North Lincolnshire Diagnostics North East Lincolnshire

Places covered by

  • East Riding
  • Hull
  • North East Lincolnshire
  • North Lincolnshire
  • North Yorkshire
  • Vale of York
Author:
Date created: 03/12/2025, 16:44
Last modified: 04/12/2025, 09:00
Date due for review: 31/12/2028