Angiography

Angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins and the heart. This is traditionally done by injecting a radio-opaque contrast agent into the blood vessel and imaging using X-ray based techniques such as fluoroscopy. Angiography is used to diagnose blockages and other blood vessel problems. One specific type called a peripheral angiogram is used to help your doctor find narrowed or blocked areas in one or more of the arteries that supply blood to your legs. This condition is known as Procedure The peripheral angiogram is performed in a hospital or outpatient clinic. • Before the test, a nurse will put an IV (intravenous line) into a vein in your arm so you can get medicine (sedative) to help you relax. You’ll be awake during the test. • A nurse will clean and shave the area where the doctor will be working. This is usually an artery in your groin. • A local anesthetic will be given to numb the needle puncture site. • The doctor will make a needle puncture through your skin and into your artery, and insert a long, thin tube called a catheter into the artery. You may feel some pressure, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. • The doctor will inject a small amount of dye into the catheter. This makes the narrowed or blocked sections of your arteries show up clearly on X-rays. The dye may cause you to feel flushed or hot for a few seconds. • A peripheral angiogram usuall...

Renal arteriography is an imaging test or X-ray used to see the blood vessels in your kidneys. The test can help your doctor identify different health conditions. These include What Is a Renal Angiogram? A renal angiogram is another name for renal arteriography or renal arteriogram. In a renal arteriogram, fluoroscopy is used, which is a type of X-ray that takes continuous pictures. It can show the blood flow to the kidneys, along with your internal organs and bones. How Is a Renal Angiogram Procedure Done? The renal angiogram procedure starts with the insertion of a This makes the blood vessels more visible in the X-ray images. A specialist called an interventional radiologist usually performs the renal angiogram. Why Do I Need a Renal Angiogram? A renal angiogram helps your doctor identify problems in your kidneys. Problems could include: • Aneurysm, a bulge in the blood vessel • • Vasospasm, sudden contraction of the blood vessels • Arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal formation of blood vessels • Thrombosis, a blockage of blood vessels due to blood clots • Occlusion, the blockage of a blood vessel Your doctor may also recommend a renal angiogram to diagnose: • Any kind of tumor • Hemorrhage, bleeding of the blood vessels • Kidney transplant complications You may also need a renal angiogram if a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) didn't show your blood vessels clearly. How Is a Renal Angiogram Done? Here is what to expect when you go fo...

Overview What is angiography? Angiography is a way to produce X-ray pictures of the insides of blood vessels. When blood vessels are blocked, narrowed, damaged or abnormal in any way, problems including What is cerebral angiography? Cerebral angiography is also known as intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA). In cerebral angiography, a catheter (long, thin, flexible tube) is inserted into an artery in the arm or leg. Using the catheter, a technician injects a special dye into the blood vessels that lead to the brain. In cerebral angiography, X-ray images show blood vessel abnormalities in the brain. Results from a cerebral angiogram are more accurate than those produced by carotid Doppler. Usually, cerebral angiography is used after another test has already found an abnormality.Angiography is used to help detect and diagnose acute stroke. The images that result from cerebral angiography are not available from other techniques. Additional Details What are the risks of cerebral angiography? You may feel some discomfort or pain with the placement of the catheter. The anesthetic that you are given should relieve most of the discomfort. With this procedure, there is a risk of stroke caused by the catheter. It is possible that the catheter could break off plaque. This plaque could block a smaller blood vessel in the brain and lead to stroke. Your doctor will discuss any risks with you before the procedure. • Radiological Society of North America and American Coll...

Healthcare providers use carotid angiography to find blockages in, or narrowing of, the carotid arteries that move blood from your heart to your head and brain. These large arteries are on either side of your neck. Providers inject contrast dye through a catheter to make arteries visible and take images to see any obstructions. Overview What is carotid angiography? Carotid angiography, or angiogram, is a test to help diagnose carotid artery disease. Providers do this test to see how blood moves through the large arteries in your neck. Carotid angiography uses X-rays to take images and a special dye to make your arteries visible. When is carotid angiography performed? The Your healthcare provider may recommend carotid angiography when they suspect you have What tests might I have before carotid angiography? If you have carotid artery disease symptoms, healthcare providers may recommend a non-invasive test called a Who performs carotid angiography? A provider specializing in image-guided procedures (interventional radiologist) performs carotid angiography. Test Details How does carotid angiography work? To perform carotid angiography, your provider: • Inserts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel, usually near your groin but sometimes in your arm. • Injects a special liquid (contrast dye) that makes your arteries visible under X-ray. • Takes Your provider may do CT carotid angiography using a How do I prepare for carotid angiography? Before carotid angiography...

A cerebral angiogram checks for abnormalities in the • Carotid angiogram or angiography • Cerebral angiogram or angiography • Cerebral arteriogram ‌Cerebral angiography is the process of performing What Is a Cerebral Angiogram? A cerebral angiogram is the result of a type of X-ray called cerebral angiography. The X-ray checks the blood vessels and blood flow in your head, brain, or neck by using a special contrast dye. How it’s done. A catheter is inserted into an artery. It is injected with a contrast dye that spreads through your bloodstream. This causes your blood vessels to be visible in an X-ray. Why Cerebral Angiography? Your doctor may suggest cerebral angiography to diagnose conditions, locate or identify abnormalities, and minimize complications before surgery. This procedure may be suggested if previous tests didn’t provide conclusive information. Results. Cerebral angiography can reveal a variety of abnormalities in your blood vessels, such as: • Bulging or ballooning of blood vessels: • Narrowing of your blood vessels: • Narrowing of your arteries: • Inflammation that causes narrowing: vasculitis • Abnormal connection or tangle of vessels: arteriovenous malformation • • Blood vessel spasms: vasospasm • Total blood vessel blockage Risks of a Cerebral Angiogram There are extra risks that accompany cerebral angiography since it involves radiation, including: • Side effects of • Exposure to radiation while pregnant can lead to birth defects • Allergic reaction to t...

An angiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses imaging to show your provider how your blood flows through your blood vessels or heart. An injected contrast material makes it easy to see where blood is moving and where blockages are. Your provider can use X-rays or other types of imaging for your angiogram. Overview What is an angiogram? An angiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses X-ray images to look for blockages in your blood vessels (arteries or veins). An angiogram test allows your healthcare provider to see how blood circulates in blood vessels at specific locations in your body. Providers use an angiogram of your heart, neck, kidneys, legs or other areas to locate the source of an artery or vein issue. Why an angiogram is done Your healthcare provider may want to do an angiogram procedure when you have signs of blocked, damaged or abnormal blood vessels. An angiogram test helps your provider determine the source of the problem and the extent of damage to your blood vessels. With an angiogram test, your provider can diagnose and/or plan treatment for conditions, such as: • Coronary artery disease. • Peripheral artery disease. • • Blood clots. • Aneurysm. Who performs an angiogram? An interventional cardiologist performs an angiogram. Interventional Test Details How does an angiogram test work? An angiogram involves injecting contrast material (dye) that your provider can see with an X-ray machine. Images on a screen show blood flow and blockages in your blood v...

Overview What is a coronary angiogram? A coronary angiogram is a test that uses X-rays to show how well your blood is moving in your heart’s arteries ( When is a coronary angiogram performed? Your provider may do coronary angiography when deciding if you need: • Medicine and a healthier lifestyle. • • When would a coronary angiogram be needed? You may need a coronary angiogram when: • Your stress test or • Your provider diagnoses you with a heart attack, a problem with a heart valve, or • You have heart surgery coming up and your provider thinks you may have • You have chest pain ( • You’re having unusual chest discomfort or Who performs a coronary angiogram? A healthcare provider who’s a heart expert ― a Test Details Dye helps show how well blood moves in an artery How does a coronary angiogram work? Contrast dye that’s injected into your coronary arteries through a small catheter allows your provider to see (through X-ray images) if there is blockage of your coronary arteries. The most common cause of narrowing of the coronary arteries is cholesterol plaque ( How do I prepare for a coronary angiogram? Your provider will most likely tell you not to eat or drink anything for eight hours before your coronary angiogram procedure. If your provider tells you to do so, you may need to avoid these medicines for at least one day before your procedure: • Anticoagulants. • Diabetes medications. • What to expect on the date of a coronary angiogram • A coronary angiogram will take be...

An MRA is a test that lets your doctor see inside your Your doctor may ask you to get one in order to look for and treat problems with your The test can check the blood vessels in many different parts of your body: • • • • Pelvis or lower belly • Arms and legs Your doctor may order this exam for different reasons that include: • Check for aneurysms or weakened blood vessels • Find plaque that blocks or narrows blood vessels • Look for problems with the structure of your blood vessels • Help to • Locate injured blood vessels after an accident • Help with • Diagnose Preparation You will get instructions, usually from the place where you’ll have your MRA. Make sure you understand the directions and follow them closely. They may include information about: • Whether you can eat or drink before the test • If it’s OK to take your usual medicines • What you may wear and what you will need to take off The MRA equipment includes a magnetic field. So you’ll need to take off anything metal, such as: • Jewelry and watches • Body piercings • • Clothing with metal snaps or zippers What to Tell Your Doctor Make sure you tell your doctor or the staff at the MRA facility if you: • Have medical problems, like • Are allergic to anything • Are • Have any medical devices or implants, like heart valves, drug ports, artificial limbs or joints, metal pins, screws, plates, staples or stents Also let them know if you have other metal: • Left from an accident or injury • In some tattoo dye • From den...