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Patient
information guide : Printer
Friendly | PDF
Updated March 7, 2002
Thank
you for choosing Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging Centers
to perform your Angiography examination. We realize you may
have questions regarding your upcoming exam and hope this information
will help explain the procedure to you. If you have further questions,
feel free to call our office At (702) 732 - 6000.
Are
you a new patient?
Save
time by printing and filling out our new patient packet : PDF
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What
is Angiography?
Angiography is a type of x-ray that is done to image blood vessels in
various parts of the body, including the heart, brain, and kidneys, so
as to determine whether the vessels are diseased, narrowed, enlarged or
blocked altogether. After passing a catheter into an artery leading to
the body area of interest, a contrast material is injected to highlight
the vessels when x-rays are taken. Today many catheter angiographic studies
have been replaced by less invasive methods such as computed tomography
(CT) angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography that do not require
that a catheter be inserted. Catheter angiography still is widely used
in patients who may undergo surgery, angioplasty, or stent placement.
Common
uses of this procedure.
Common reasons to do catheter angiography are to detect narrowing or blockage
of a blood vessel, identify abnormally dilated blood vessels, and determine
the site of internal bleeding. The procedure is able to:
| * Detect atherosclerotic
disease in the carotid artery of the neck, which may limit blood flow
to the brain and even cause a stroke. |
| * Identify an
intracranial aneurysm or other disorders of the blood vessels in the
brain. |
| * Evaluate disease
in the renal artery or help prepare for a kidney transplant. |
| * Determine the
state of the aorta and detect an aneurysm of this vessel. |
| *
Identify a source of bleeding such as a stomach ulcer. |
| *
Help prepare for surgery on diseased blood vessels in the legs of
patients who have severe leg pain when walking. |
| *
Show the extent and severity of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. |
Surgeons sometimes
use angiography to plan an operation such as coronary bypass surgery or
to decide on the best surgical procedure. Using catheter angiography as
an aid to see inside blood vessels, surgeons can repair diseased vessels
from within using tiny instruments and inserting a stent to keep the vessel
open
How
does it work?
The basic idea of catheter angiography is the same as a regular x-ray.
The x-rays passed through the patient's body are absorbed to different
degrees by various tissues, and each type of tissue has its own distinctive
appearance. A stream of dye, or contrast material, is injected into the
catheter to obtain a detailed pictureof the artery. X-ray images are stored
in a computer or captured on film. In this way the procedure can be viewed
like a movie and played over as often as necessary.
Benefits VS Risks of Angiography
| Benefits |
Risks |
Catheter angiography presents a very detailed, clear and accurate
picture of the blood vessels. This is especially helpful when a surgical
procedure or some percutaneous intervention is being considered. |
You may have an allergic reaction to the dye, and this could lead
to a skin reaction, a drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing,
or even loss of consciousness. All the medications necessary to treat
an allergic reaction are kept in the Angio suite. |
By selecting the arteries through which the catheter passes, it is
possible to assess vessels in several specific body sites. In fact,
a smaller catheter may be passed through the larger one into a branch
artery supplying a small area of tissue or a tumor; this is called
"superselective angiography." |
There is a small risk that blood will form a clot around the tip of
the catheter, blocking the artery and making it necessary to operate
to reopen the vessel. |
Unlike computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography,
use of a catheter makes it possible to combine diagnosis and treatment
in a single procedure. An example is finding an area of severe arterial
narrowing, followed by angioplasty and placement of a stent. |
The kidneys may be injured when contrast material is eliminated through
the urine. If kidney disease is already present it may become worse.
Precautions are taken to reduce this risk, such as bloodwork and hydration. |
The degree of detail displayed by catheter angiography may not be
available by any other noninvasive procedure. |
Rarely the catheter dissects the artery, causing internal bleeding.
It also is possible that the catheter tip will separate material from
the inner lining of the artery, causing a block "down stream." |
Patient
Comfort
Injecting a local anesthetic may sting briefly, but makes the rest of
the procedure pain-free. You will not feel the catheter in your artery,
but when contrast material is injected you may have a feeling of warmth
or, occasionally, a slight burning sensation. The most difficult part
of the procedure may be lying flat for several hours after the procedure.
Preparation
Required
If you are to have a sedative before the procedure, you may be asked not
to eat or drink anything (except sips of water to take pills) for four
to eight hours ahead of time. Some hospitals, however, allow clear fluids
until shortly before the examination. Be sure that you have clear instructions
from your health care facility. You probably will receive an intravenous
(IV) sedative in preparation for angiography, and must not drive for 24
hours afterwards. Because an observation period is necessary before you
can leave, you may be admitted to hospital for an overnight stay if you
live more than an hour away. Certain blood tests are required before the
test, to check kidney function and blood clotting factors are within normal
limits.
If you will be going home the same day, you should arrange alternative
transportation. After removing jewelry and donning a hospital gown, you
should empty your bladder.
Before the procedure you will have to give your consent. This usually
involves a face-to-face talk with a physician, but in some cases you will
read a brief description of angiography or view a videotape instead. If
you have any allergies, you should tell the physician before the exam
begins. Also, the radiology staff should know if there is a possibility
that you may be pregnant.
After
the test
The patient will be required to have 4 hours of no major physical activity
after the test.
Results
of the test
At SDMI, we have a radiologist on site at all times so the test will be
interpreted promptly. The results will be phoned, faxed, mailed, or delivered
electronically to the referring physician. He/she will share the results
with the patient. Many times the radiologist will go over the results
of the test before the patient is discharged.
I
am ready to schedule an appointment.
To schedule an ANGIOGRAPHYI Exam, Please call 732 - 6000
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