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.
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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
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RAO Cranial
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AP 0 - Caudal 30
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LAO 50 - Caudal 30
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LAO 50 - Cranial 30
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AP 0 - Cranial 40
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Right Coronary Artery
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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RAO View
The mid RCA is best visualized in the straight RAO 30 position.
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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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