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Angiography or arteriography (from Greek angeion – vessel and graphein – save) is a medical imaging technique that allows you to visualize the inside of blood vessels and organs in the body, focusing on the blood system: veins, arteries and chambers of the heart.
Angiographic examination It is carried out by injecting a contrast agent into the patient’s veins, and then imaging the elements of the circulatory system filled with blood mixed with the contrast using methods based on X-ray techniques. One such technique is fluoroscopy. In this way, it is possible to assess the patency of the veins, their condition and check whether the blood flow in the blood vessels and the heart is normal, whether any vessel is damaged or broken. By angiography the condition of the vessels can be assessed practically throughout the body: from examinations of the cerebral circulation, through the blood vessels in the head, carotid arteries, blood circulation in the lungs, in the coronary arteries (coronary angiography, coronary angiography), as well as the vessels in the abdominal cavity.
Angiography it is performed in the case of suspicion of arterial diseases resulting in organ ischemia. It allows you to find the site of vasoconstriction and help determine the procedure and specific type of treatment. In the case of atherosclerosis, intestinal diseases, limb ischemia, it may be necessary to combine pharmacological treatment with procedures such as dilation of the veins, as well as vascular surgery procedures. Stent implantation may also be required.
By angiographic examination You can also diagnose venous diseases, anomalies in the structure of blood vessels, malformations, pulmonary embolism. Angiography allows you to determine if there is inflammation of blood vessels, aneurysms and clots, vasoconstriction. Angiographic examination it is also used before kidney transplant operations or to assess the blood supply and vascularization of a tumor in the event of a tumor in the body.
For many diseases, yes invasive examination, How angiography It is not necessary. In many cases, a sufficient image is provided by angio-MR examinations, i.e. magnetic resonance imaging of blood vessels, angio-CT – examination with a computer tomograph and Doppler ultrasound examination. Contrast given with angiography is a substance prepared on the basis of iodine compounds, it can cause skin allergies, itching, rash, hives. Sometimes an anaphylactic reaction, i.e. a strong allergy to contrast, occurs. Before and after administering the contrast, you should drink a lot to remove the dye from the bloodstream as soon as possible.
Preparation for angiography
Preparation for execution angiographic examination involves performing a few simple but important steps. The day before surgery you should take care of the hydration of the body, and before the same surgery fasting for 6-8 hours. In front of research it is necessary to wash off the varnish from the nails. If it is necessary to insert a vascular catheter through the groin, shave the skin in this area to facilitate catheter installation. In front of research jewelery, metal ornaments and dentures should be removed.
The course of angiography
Angiography it is performed by a specialist in radiology, vascular surgery or cardiology. At the beginning, an interview is collected from the patient and blood tests are performed: morphology, coagulation tests and creatinine level – necessary to determine any contraindications for implementation angiographysuch as kidney failure, blood clotting disorders, anemia, electrolyte disturbances, as well as recent stroke, allergy to contrast.
In the event of a deficiency contraindications, the patient is being prepared for survey. An intravenous catheter is inserted through which the contrast is administered through the insertion into an anesthetized place on the body. The preparation is mixed with the blood and after a few minutes the monitor displays the image of the visualized network of the patient’s blood vessels. Record survey is created in a digital version so that the doctor can later accurately analyze the image of the vessels. After removing the catheter, a pressure dressing is applied to prevent hematoma at the puncture site.