Concept

Angiography is the x-ray study of blood vessels. It consists of using a radiopaque substance, or dyes in order to make blood vessels visible under X ray.

When do we use it?

Angiography is used for:

• Detection of abnormalities or blockages in blood vessels (called occlusions) throughout the circulatory system and in some organs.
• Atherosclerosis
• Diagnosis of heart diseases
• Evaluation of kidney functions and detection of kidney cysts or tumors
• Detection of aneurysm (an abnormal bulge of an artery that can rupture leading to hemorrhage)
• Detection of tumor, blood clot, or arteriovenous malformations (abnormalities of arteries tangles and veins) in the brain
• Diagnosis of problems with the eye retina
• Accurate "map" of the heart prior to open-heart surgery, or of the brain prior to neurosurgery

Procedure

• Angiography takes place in the x-ray fluoroscopy suite, and for most types of angiograms, the   patient's vital signs will be monitored throughout the procedure.
• Angiography requires the injection of a contrast dye that makes the blood vessels visible to x ray.  The dye is injected through a procedure known as arterial puncture, which is usually made in the groin area. Throughout the dye injection procedure, x-ray pictures and/or fluoroscopic pictures (or moving x rays) will be taken. Because of the high pressure of arterial blood flow, the dye will dissipate through the patient's system quickly, so pictures must be taken in rapid succession.
• Once the x rays are complete, the catheter is slowly and carefully removed from the patient.  Pressure is applied to the site with a sandbag or other weight for 10-20 minutes in order for clotting to take place and the arterial puncture to reseal itself.