What Does Angiography Mean?

Angiography is the use of x-ray imaging of blood vessels to examine them. Angiograms are the name given to images taken during angiography.

First, a needle must be placed in the femoral arterial. All parts of the body are accessible from this site. After the needle, access has been established and catheters and wires have been threaded through the blood vessels to the targeted area of interest.

Iodine, based contrast medium, is typically injected into the system when imaging is done. The medium highlights the blood moving within the vessels.

Angiograms are performed in hospitals and patients are typically given local anesthesia. The time taken to complete an angiogram can vary depending on the level of difficulty and the amount required.

The Importance Of Angiography

A doctor may recommend that patients undergo angiography to identify the cause of problems in circulation. The physician might also benefit from the results of this test in determining treatment options.

Angiography can be used to detect arterial disease. These conditions can cause strokes, heart attacks, gangrene, and organ failure. The images of coronary angiography are useful in helping physicians plan the treatment of patients suffering from angina and heart attacks.

Types Of Angiography

Different medical conditions can be diagnosed using angiography. There are many different options.

CTA is computed tomography angiography. It uses X-rays (or axial) images and software to create slices or horizontal images of blood vessels to aid in diagnosis.

Coronary imaging visualizes the insides of the coronary veins. These images can identify stenoses in the coronary arteries that could be responsible for chest discomfort and lead to cardiac arrest.

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which images blood vessels in the brain, allows you to monitor blood flow.

A radionuclide is used in radionuclide imaging. A small amount, either radiopharmaceutical (or radioactive tracer), is used to aid in the examination of the target organs. Resting radionuclide angiography assesses the chambers of the heart in motion.

Pulmonary imaging images blood vessels for various conditions, including aneurysms and stenosis.

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which uses magnetic resonance image (MRI) and contrast to visualize blood vessels, is a form of magnetic resonance imaging. MRA is used often by physicians to examine the heart and other soft tissue and to assess blood flow.

Renal angiography (also called arteriography) images the renal blood vessels to detect blockages and abnormalities that affect the blood supply of the kidneys.

Angiography Therapies

There are a variety of therapies that can be performed during an angiography. These include stent placing or angioplasty. Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty, are non-surgical procedures that open blocked or narrowed coronary veins.

The procedure restores blood flow in the heart muscle which has been blocked by plaque buildup. If plaque is broken, it can cause a blood clot to form.

A large clot may block blood flow through a vein, leading to heart attacks. In time, ruptured plaque can also cause the coronary arteries to narrow and harden.

PCI can help restore blood flow to a patient’s heart. A catheter with a balloon attached at its tip is used to guide x-ray imaging through a blood vessel into the affected area.

Once the balloon is placed, it’s inflated to push the plaque against your artery wall. This will increase blood flow to the affected artery.

The procedure can help with symptoms of coronary artery disease and angina. The procedure can also help to reduce damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack.

Stents may be placed in the arteries during PCI. Before the balloon can be inflated, a catheter is placed around it. The balloon will inflate when it reaches the desired size. This opens the artery, restoring blood flow. The balloon is fully extended, and the stent is pushed into place within the artery.

The balloon can be deflated and pulled apart with the catheter. The stent stays in the artery. Cells will eventually cover the mesh of your stent.

Get more information about angiography from www.insideradiology.com.au/angiography/