What is angiography?
Angiography is an x-ray of the blood vessels, which is done after filling them with contrast material, for their detailed observation and examination. It is a method to diagnose the pathology of the inner space of blood vessels or lumen. Nowadays, many interventional radiologists and cardiologists use angiography to perform very delicate invasive and semi-invasive surgeries in the blood circulation system, especially the heart arteries.
Angiography is a process that provides the most accurate information about the vessels and provides it to the doctor before any type of operation.
?What are the uses of angiography
Using angiography, which is a diagnostic method through blood vessels, the following can be detected:
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- Venous insufficiency disease
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Peripheral vessels
- Deep venous thrombosis
?How is angiography performed
Angiography through the groin artery: the images and tests of the patient are reviewed and the patient is guided to the interventional procedures department of the ultra-radiation center with the necessary preparations. In this department, the interventional radiology specialist inserts a narrow tube (catheter) into the femoral artery and leads from there to the entrance of the coronary arteries. Then, by injecting a radiological contrast material in these arteries, with the help of angiography, the number of blocked vessels, the narrow points of the artery, the location of the blockage and its extent are determined and it is removed by balloon and stent (spring) placement at the same time. Angiography through Hand artery: As in the above method, a special contrast agent containing iodine is injected into the coronary arteries by an interventional radiologist and video is taken in different views to determine the presence of coronary artery stenosis. In angiography, instead of entering the catheters from the groin area through an artery in the wrist, the angiography is performed through the artery of the hand (radial) and the angiography is performed. The patient remains motionless for about 6 hours and the bleeding is controlled by placing a sandbag. If angiography is performed through the artery of the hand (radial), the patient is allowed to move without restrictions and does not need rest, but his vital signs should be checked for about 4 hours. will be controlled and monitored.
?What are the advantages of angiography
- Determining the condition of blood vessels in a short period of time
- No pain or discomfort
- Examining the vessels of the kidney, brain, lung, heart and digestive system
- Wide application of therapeutic angiography: (1- Valvuloplasty 2- Angioplasty 3- Placement of prosthesis in the heart and blood vessels 4- Balloon and spring operation)
?What are the possible complications of angiography
- Nausea and vomiting caused by contrast material
- Temporary increase in body temperature and flushing
- The possibility of bleeding from the artery if care is not taken