Coronary angiography standard views

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Standard Angiographic Views

For the beginner angiographer the anatomic landmarks formed by the spine, catheter and diaphragm provide information to discern which tomographic view from which the image is obtained. In the LAO view (figure 1) the catheter and spine are seen on the right side of the image, while in the RAO (figure 2) they are found on the right. PA imaging (figure 3) places these landmarks in the center of the image. Cranial angulation can usually be distinguished from caudal angulation by the presence of the diaphragm. For cranial imaging, the patient should be asked to inspire to remove the diaphragmatic shadow from the image.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Left Coronary Artery

The left main coronary artery gives rise to the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex coronary artery. Complete visualization of these arteries and their branches requires care and rigor to ensure complete anatomical documentation. Often bifurcations and vessel foreshortening and overlap cause errors in stenosis estimation. There are no steadfast rules in which tomographic views are most useful. Generally, for circumflex and proximal epicardial visualization the caudal views are most useful. For LAD and LAD/diagonal bifurcation visualization the cranial views are most useful. Overall, if there is not a significant limitation on contrast utilization, standard 'around the world' angiography using a selection of the following angiographic views will document left coronary anatomy.

RAO 20 - Caudal 20

RAO Caudal

RAO Cranial

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AP 0 - Caudal 30

PA Caudal

LAO 50 - Caudal 30

LAO Caudal

LAO 50 - Cranial 30

LAO Cranial

AP 0 - Cranial 40

PA Cranial

Right Coronary Artery

RCA LAO View

Initial angiographic imaging of the RCA in this view (LAO 30) gives the best view of significant ostial and proximal RCA disease.

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RCA RAO View

The mid RCA is best visualized in the straight RAO 30 position.

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RCA AP 0 Cranial 30 View

The bifurcation of the distal RCA and rPDA is best seen in the AP 0 Cranial 30 view with a small breath in.

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