ANGIOGRAPHY- Overview
Department of Medical Imaging & Sonography
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, AND YOU SHALL HOLD
YOUR PEACE
-Exodus 14:14
ANGIOGRAPHY
• Angiography is a radiologic examination of the
vasculature within the body after introducing a
contrast material.
• Blood vessels don't show up clearly on a normal X-
ray, so a special dye [contrast media] needs to be
injected into your blood first.
• This highlights the blood vessels, to spot any
problems.
• The X-ray images created during angiography
are called "angiograms".
Angiography
• Angiography is used to assess diseases of the:
• Arteries
• Veins
• Lymphatic vessels
• It can be used to diagnose or investigate
several problems affecting the blood vessels.
• These diseases may include:
• atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries),
which could mean you're at risk of having a
stroke or heart attack
• peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood
supply to the leg muscles)
• a brain aneurysm
• angina (chest pain that occurs when the blood
supply to the heart muscle is restricted)
• blood clots or a pulmonary embolism (a
blockage in the artery supplying your lungs).
• Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
• a blockage in the blood supply to your kidneys.
Angiography may also be used to help plan
treatment for some of these conditions.
Types of Angiographic Procedures
Based on technique used:
Based on the type of vessels:
• Arteriography
• Venography
• Lymphography
Based on the body part:
• Coronary Angiography
• Cerebral Angiography
• Pulmonary Angiography
• Peripheral Angiography
• Renal Angiography
• Aortography
• Etc.
What happens during angiography
• Angiography is carried out in a hospital X-ray
or radiology department.
• Usually the patient will be awake but may be
given a sedative to help him/her relax
• Patient is instructed to lie down on a table
and a small cut is made over one of the
arteries, usually the femoral or radial artery–
local anaesthetic
• a very thin flexible tube (catheter) is inserted
into the artery
• the catheter is carefully guided to the area
that's being examined (such as the heart)
• a dye (contrast medium) is injected into the
catheter
• a series of X-rays are taken as the dye flows
through the patient’s blood vessels.
Risks of an angiogram
Angiography is generally a safe and painless procedure.
But for a few days or weeks afterwards it's common to
have:
• bruising
• soreness
• a very small lump or collection of blood near where the
cut was made
• There is also a very small risk of more serious
complications occurring, such as an allergic reaction to
the contrast media, a stroke or a heart attack.
• These problems should improve in a few days or
weeks and aren't usually anything to worry about.
• The test will only be done if the benefits of having
the procedure are felt to outweigh any potential risk.
• Angiography can take between 30 minutes and two
hours. Usually the patient can go home a few hours
afterwards.
• The patient can take painkillers such as
paracetamol for any discomfort if the need be.
Complications
• Most people who have an angiogram won't
experience any complications, but there is a
small chance of minor or serious
complications occurring.
• Possible minor complications include:
• an infection where the cut was made, causing
the area to become red, hot, swollen and
painful – this may need to be treated with
antibiotics (puncture site related comp.)
• a mild reaction to the dye, such as an itchy
rash – this can usually be controlled with
medication(contrast related complication)
Possible serious complications include:
• kidney damage due to the contrast media –
this is usually temporary
• a heart attack or stroke
• damage to a blood vessel, causing internal
bleeding – further surgery may be needed to
repair the damage
• Anaphylaxis, causing dizziness, breathing
difficulties or loss of consciousness
When Should the Patient get medical help?
• When the cut starts bleeding and doesn't stop
after applying pressure for a few minutes.
• When the patient experiences severe pain
which is not relieved by painkillers.
• your skin becomes red, swollen and hot
• the leg or arm where the cut was made looks
or feels different to the other leg or arm – for
example, it looks pale or feels cold.
• a firm, tender lump develops near where the
cut was made.
Preparing for an angiogram
• Before having an angiogram, the patient may
be asked to attend a hospital appointment to
check that the test can be done.
This may involve:
• The patient is asked about his/her medical
history, including if the patient has any
allergies
• The patient being asked about any medication
the he/she is taking – the patient need to be
told if he/she needs to stop taking it before
the test.
• having a number of tests to check the
patient’s general health, including a physical
examination and blood tests
• a discussion about the angiogram, including
• what it involves,
• what the risks are,
• what the patient need to do beforehand and
• whether the patient would like to have
sedative medication on the day to help
him/her relax.
• Sometimes treatment may be carried at the
same time, such as inserting a balloon or a
small tube to open up a narrowed artery. This
is known as angioplasty.
• Once the procedure is finished, the catheter is
removed and pressure is placed on the cut to
stop any bleeding. Stitches aren't needed.
While recovering at home:
• Patient is asked to rest for the remainder of
the day – it's a good idea for someone to stay
with the patient for at least 24 hours in case
there are any problems
• Patient can eat and drink as soon as he feels
ready to –
• Patient is made aware that the contrast media
will leave his body in the urine, so drinking
plenty of water can help flush it out faster.
• Patient can usually return to most normal
activities the next day, although he/she may
need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous
exercise for a few days
• Patient will probably have some bruising and
soreness for at least a few days.
1. Catheter Insertion:
• A small incision is made at the insertion site, and a catheter is inserted into the artery or
vein.
• The catheter is carefully guided through the blood
vessels to the area of interest using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging).
2. Initial Imaging:
• Initial X-ray images (mask images) are taken before the contrast dye is injected.
• These images serve as the background reference.
3. Contrast Injection:
• A contrast agent (iodine-based) is injected through the catheter into the blood vessel.
• As the contrast flows through the vessels, it highlights the vascular structures.
4. Subtraction Process:
• Additional X-ray images are taken after the contrast injection.
• The computer subtracts the initial (mask) images from the contrast-enhanced images.
• This subtraction removes the background tissues, leaving only the blood vessels visible.
5. Image Display
• The subtracted images are displayed in real-time, allowing blood flow and abnormalities
to be detected.
• Multiple images can be taken rapidly to create a dynamic sequence, showing the flow of
contrast through the vessels.
Jesus is Lord!!
THANK YOU
