Angiography - Treatment, Procedure And Side Effects

An angiography, also known as an angiogram, is an X-Ray test that makes use of a dye along with a camera in order to take clear pictures of the circulation of blood inside a vein or an artery. This procedure can be performed for the veins or the arteries of the chest, back, arms, head, belly and the legs.

The most common angiograms include pulmonary angiogram (of the chest), coronary angiogram (of the heart), cerebral angiogram (of the brain), carotid angiogram (of the neck and the head), peripheral angiogram (of the arms and legs) and aortogram (of the aorta).

An angiogram is used to detect aneurysms (bulge within the blood vessels). Any blockage or narrowing of the blood vessels that affect proper blood flow can also be detected by this procedure. The possibility of a coronary artery disorder being present, as well as its condition, can be determined by this technique.

These are the types of angiography:

• Computed tomography angiography: In this, a CT scanner is used to get the detailed condition of the blood vessels. In this doctors also uses X-ray catheters, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Coronary angiography: In this special dye is used and X-ray is done to see how the blood is flowing through the arteries present in your heart.
• Digital subtraction angiography: It is a fluoroscopy technique in which the use of interventional radiology is done in order to get clear visualization in the boney or dense tissues.
• Magnetic resonance angiography: In this, your body scan is done with the help of radio waves, magnetic fields and computer to take a proper view of the body's blood vessels.
• Pulmonary angiogram: In this, the blood vessels of the lungs are checked and a dye is used for getting a clear view.
• Radionuclide Angiogram: This is the kind of nuclear medicine procedure. This is done for examining the tissues properly.
• Renal angiogram: This is a kind of image testing in which kidney vessels are looked into.

• Computed tomography angiography:

  At first, a dye will be injected into your nerves through IV. Then you will be told to lie down straight. You will also be told to hold your breath for a short period of time in order to get the proper pictures. The images will be examined by the doctor and then the further procedure will be done.

• Coronary angiography:

  This is done under the expert supervision in a specific laboratory and it is done with the cardiac catheterization procedure. A small is made by the doctor in the blood vessel of the arm, upper thigh or groin and a catheter tube are inserted into the blood vessel. After this X-ray picture by the doctor will be taken which helps in the placement of the catheter in your coronary artery. After which a dye will be inserted through that artery in order to highlight the blockage and then X-ray is taken to go for further treatment.

• Digital subtraction angiography:

  In this, a catheter is inserted into the veins artery of the leg, and then it is passed into the blood vessel. After this contrast dye is injected into the catheter to get a proper image of the blood vessels.

• Magnetic resonance angiography:

  In this, you are made to lie then and then pass through a magnetic resonance image scanner which a large tube-like tunnel. Sometimes a special kind of dye is injected in the bloodstream to get a clear view of the veins and blood vessels.

• Pulmonary angiogram:

  In this dye is injected in your blood vessels through your arm or groin. Dye helps in getting a clear X-ray thus enable your doctor to have a clear view of blood vessels from the lungs.

• Radionuclide Angiogram:

  In this radionuclide is injected in the arm vein to see the progress of the blood cells and the heart is traced through the scanner. This RNA procedure helps the doctor check the functioning of the heart.

• Renal angiogram:

  In this image testing of the blood vessels of the kidney is done. AN x-ray is done by injecting a special dye into the blood vessels.

Angiography: It is an imaging technique is used for the visualization of blood vessels, organs of the body, and particularly arteries, veins, and the heart chambers.

Angioplasty: This is done to restore the procedure of blood flow through the artery. In this, the blood vessels of the heart are checked if it is blocked or not. This procedure is basically done to restore the blood flow through the artery.

An angiogram provides detailed X-ray pictures of the heart and its blood vessels. Based on it, important decisions regarding our health are taken by the doctor. In case of minor blockages, lifestyle modifications and medications are recommended while in major blockages, depending on the severity, Balloon angioplasty and Stenting or Bypass surgery need to be done to open the blockages.

Similar to any other procedure performed on the blood vessels and the heart, a coronary angiogram or other angiograms as well have their share of risks and complications. Though major risks are less, certain potential complications include:

• Stroke
• Heart attacks
• Any injury to the arteries, especially the artery that has been catheterized
• Arrhythmias (irregular heart-beats)
• Allergies caused due to the dye or other medications used during the procedure
• Damage to the kidneys
• Persistent bleeding
• Infections

You should take adequate rest and avoid any sort of strenuous activity for 24 hours post-angiogram, following which you can start with your daily routine. However, if your doctor has advised otherwise, you should follow it to recover completely and quickly.

The price of angiography or an angiogram in India typically ranges between Rs.6000- Rs.55,000.

An angiography is a testing procedure that makes use of a dye along with a camera to check for defects in the arteries or the veins. It isn’t a surgical procedure. It only lays down the platform for angioplasty which, in turn, is the surgery that is performed. Hence, there are no results as such associated with angiography.

These are the precautions which need to be taken before angiography:

• Do not eat or drink before going for the angiography.
• Do not take any medication before angiography without consulting your doctor.
• If you are diabetic then you must consult the doctor before taking insulin.
• Empty your bladder before going for the final procedure.

An angiogram or angiography is usually recommended by the doctor only if other less invasive testing techniques have been exhausted or haven’t been able to come up with concrete results. Certain less invasive alternatives include a heart stress test, ECG (Electrocardiography), and echocardiography.

Summary: Angiography is a medical procedure that is done to detect any blockage due to fat deposition in coronary arteries. It provides detailed X-ray pictures of the heart and its blood vessels. Based on it, important decisions regarding our health are taken by the doctor. In case of minor blockages, lifestyle modifications and medications are recommended while in major blockages, depending on the severity, Balloon angioplasty and Stenting or Bypass surgery need to be done to open the blockages.