Cineangiography (also written cine-angiography or cineventriculography) is a diagnostic imaging technique in which a radiocontrast dye is injected into the blood vessels or heart chambers while X-ray images are recorded as a continuous moving picture. The resulting moving image allows doctors to observe the flow of contrast through the cardiac chambers and coronary arteries in real time, visualising both anatomy and movement.
In cardiac medicine, cineangiography is performed during cardiac catheterisation in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. When contrast is injected into the coronary arteries (coronary cineangiography or selective coronary arteriography), it provides detailed moving images of the coronary arterial tree, identifying narrowings, blockages, and collateral vessels. When injected into the left ventricle (left ventriculography), the moving images show ventricular size, shape, and contractility, and allow visual estimation of the ejection fraction.
Cineangiography has been the cornerstone of coronary artery disease diagnosis since its development by Mason Sones at the Cleveland Clinic in 1958. In modern practice, images are recorded digitally rather than on film, but the underlying principle (real-time contrast-enhanced X-ray imaging) remains the same.
The technique is performed as part of routine coronary angiography, and the digital cine loops are stored for review and measurement. Cineangiography remains the gold standard for assessing coronary artery disease severity before decisions about PCI or CABG are made.
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