Angiography

Angiography

Angiography is a type of diagnostic imaging done to visualize blood vessels in various body parts, such as the brain or heart. It is most commonly used to diagnose blockages or narrowing of blood vessels which may impede the normal flow of blood. In more recent years, angiography has been used by vascular surgeons to assist in minimally invasive surgical procedures of blood vessels or arteries of the heart.

During an angiography procedure contrast dye is injected into the area of interest via a catheter. The catheter is a long plastic tube no thicker than a strand of spaghetti. The contrast dye is captured by x-rays and picked up by a TV camera, then sent to a monitor for viewing. Generally, the patient is given a mild dose of sedative through an IV line to help them relax and relieve any anxiety associated with the procedure. After several sets of x-rays are taken, the catheter is removed and the insertion site is compressed for ten minutes.

Angiography is commonly used to detect narrowing of blood vessels, detect blockage of a blood vessel or to determine the site of internal bleeding. In addition, angiography can show atherosclerotic disease in the carotid artery, demonstrate intracranial aneurysm, indicate disease in the renal artery or help in preparation for a kidney transplant. Additionally, the procedure can be used to determine the state of the aorta and detect an aortic aneurysm. It may also demonstrate sources of internal bleeding such as gastrointestinal ulcers or be used in preparation for surgery on