Angiography

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common diseases in the world. There are diagnostic and treatment methods specially developed for these diseases. One of them is the angiogram. You can read the rest of the article to learn more comprehensive answers to questions such as what angiogram is and how it is applied.

 

What is Angiography?

Blood vessels may not be seen in detail on X-ray films. Therefore, some technologies have been developed to examine the vessels more clearly and to diagnose vascular diseases more easily. Angiography is a medical imaging method and is an X-ray that shows the inside of the vessels in different organs. This test helps doctors examine blood flow in your heart or other organs and identify narrowing or blockages in your arteries. This method can be used frequently, especially to examine occluded or narrow vessels. An angiography test provides information about how blood vessels in certain places in the body carry blood. Doctors use angiography of the heart, neck, kidneys, and legs to identify the source of any disorder in the circulatory system.

 

When is Angiography Used?

When doctors detect a blocked, narrowed, or damaged vessel in the body, they may perform angiography to further examine the condition. In this way, the doctor can determine the extent of the damage by going down to the source of the problem. Angiography has multiple purposes. Here are some:

• Diagnosis of Vascular Diseases: Angio provides a clear examination of the inside of the vessels. In this way, many vascular diseases can be diagnosed. Performing angiography can help assess the condition of vessels in the heart, brain, kidneys, lungs, and other organs, identifying blockages, narrowings, aneurysms, and other problems.
• Coronary Artery Disease: Angiogram is used to diagnose coronary artery disease by examining the condition of the heart vessels. In people at risk of heart attack, an angiogram can be performed to determine the occlusion of the heart vessels and the necessary treatment can be planned.
• Angioplasty and Stent Applications: Angiogram provides guidance for angioplasty and stenting applications to treat vascular occlusions. Angio is generally a method used to open blocked or narrowed vessels. A stent is a type of tubular device that is placed to keep the vessel open.
• Identifying the Source of Bleeding: An angiogram is used to find the source of bleeding in the brain or abnormal bleeding in another organ. In this way, the cause of the bleeding can be learned clearly and a treatment can be applied for it.
• Kidney Diseases: Renal angiography is used to detect blockages or narrowings in the kidney vessels. Angiography is used in cases such as renal failure, tumors or pre-transplant evaluation.
• Lung Diseases: Pulmonary angiography is used to evaluate the condition of the pulmonary vessels. It is an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension.
• Peripheral Artery Disease: Angiography is performed in case of occlusion or narrowing of the arteries in the legs, arms or other extremities.

 

Who Does Angiography?

An interventional cardiologist is an expert in the field of angiography. But when necessary, interventional radiologists and cardiovascular surgeons can also do it.

 

How to Do Angiography?

Angiography performed by specialist physicians may first ask you for a blood test to test for determining clotting rate. The doctor can also examine how the kidneys work. There are some rules to follow before angiography is taken. You should not take aspirin or any aspirin-derived medication the night before the angiography test. Because it can cause dilution of the blood, making it difficult to perform angiography.

The stages of the angiography procedure can be listed as follows:

• Preparation: Before angiography, the patient's medical history and current condition are evaluated. Before the procedure, the patient is informed about the procedure and possible risks. Evaluation can be made for blood tests and allergic reactions.
• Local Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is usually used for angiography. The skin area is disinfected and anesthetized. Sometimes light sedation may also be used.
• Vein Access: Access to the artery (femoral artery) in the groin area is usually provided for angiography. If necessary, veins in the hand or wrist area can also be used.
• Contrast Injection: A thin catheter (tube) is inserted into the vein and a contrast agent (dye) is injected. The contrast material shows the vessels more clearly and allows them to be viewed with an X-ray machine.
• Imaging: During the injection of the contrast agent, the veins and organs are visualized by the x-ray machine. Necessary images are taken and the doctor is allowed to evaluate the veins.
• Results Evaluation: The images obtained are analyzed by a specialist radiologist and the results are forwarded to the doctor. The doctor evaluates the condition of the vessels, any blockages or other abnormalities.
• Completion of the Procedure: After the procedure is finished, the catheter is removed and the area is closed appropriately. After the procedure, the patient is kept under observation for a while.

 

Healing Process After Angiography

After angiography, individuals can usually return to their homes during the day. Although the recovery time varies from person to person, they may feel tired for a few days. In addition, since the wound area may be sensitive for a week, care should be taken to care for this area.

Angiography may differ depending on the patient's condition and the purpose of the procedure. The specialist physician who will perform the procedure will give you detailed information and it is important to follow the instructions before the procedure. Although angiography usually takes 15 minutes, this time may vary depending on the problem diagnosed.

Angiography is one of the methods that individuals often need. You can choose reputable hospitals or clinics in Türkiye for the treatment of the disease. Türkiye is one of the leading countries for health tourists seeking a high standard of living and an efficient healthcare system. Contact us to learn more.