What is an Angiography?
Angiography is an x-ray technique that uses a dye, which is injected into the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart. Since the blood vessels are not visible in a normal x-ray, a special dye is injected into the blood vessels to detect the blood flow to and through the heart and to check for any blockages in the arteries. The movement of dye recorded during the angiography is called an angiogram and can be seen visibly on a television monitor.
Please click on this link to know the better treatment for heart disease.
Why is an Angiography done?
Angiography is performed to monitor blood flow to an organ. It is used to assess the health of the blood vessels and to determine how blood flows through them. It can help diagnose numerous conditions associated with blood vessels. It is also performed to plan the treatment of blood vessel‑related conditions, such as atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, brain aneurysm, angina, blood clots, and pulmonary embolism. Most commonly, it is used to detect blockages in the blood vessels of the heart and the brain.
(Read More - Rheumatic Heart Disease)
Who needs an Angiography?
There are many situations where angiography is needed and some are mentioned below:
- Individuals with Angina – If a person experiences unexplained pain or pressure in the chest, which extends to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back, angiography is recommended
- People with Cardiac Arrest – If an individual’s heart abruptly stops beating, angiography may be performed to assess the situation
- If the results of an electrocardiogram, exercise stress test, or other tests suggest that a person has a heart disease, angiography should be performed.
- If a person is having a heart attack, a coronary angiography is performed on an emergency basis
(Read More - Enlarged Heart treatment)
How is an Angiography performed?
Angiography is a generally safe procedure. It is usually performed in the x-ray or radiology department of the hospital. It takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. The patient can leave the hospital on the same day. He/she will be generally awake, but a sedative is given to help in relaxation. Sometimes, general anesthesia is also given to induce sleep. You are allowed to lie down on a table. The area near the groin or wrist is cleaned and numbed with a local anaesthetic substance. An incision is made and a small tiny tube is inserted in the artery, which is known as a catheter.
Experts carefully move this tube towards the organ that needs to be examined. An x-ray picture is captured to verify the position of the catheter. A dye is injected into the catheter and many x-rays are taken as the dye flows along with blood through the artery. This helps to highlight any blockages in the blood vessel.
(Read More - Valvular Heart Disease treatment)