Angiography involves injecting dye into an artery and taking an x-ray to check for blockages or disease. It can be used to examine blood vessels in the heart, kidneys, and brain. Risks include allergic reactions and blood clots, but benefits include accurate diagnosis and treatment. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor before undergoing the procedure.
Angiography is a procedure that involves injecting a liquid dye into a catheter that has been placed inside an artery. An x-ray is then taken to check the blood vessels for any blockages that could be restricting blood flow within the body. The x-ray will show if the blood vessels are narrower than normal or enlarged and if they show any signs of disease. An angiography may be done to examine not only the heart, but also the blood vessels in the kidneys and brain.
A patient undergoing angiography is given a local anesthetic into which the catheter and dye are to be inserted. Once the area is numb, a thread is inserted using a needle. The needle then guides the wire to the correct place within the artery.
After the thread is in the correct position, the needle is removed and a vascular sheath is inserted to cover the thread. The catheter is then placed along the wire. Once the catheter is inserted, the wire is removed and a liquid dye is placed inside the catheter. This procedure is observed on a screen and examined through a series of X-rays.
A surgeon may choose to use angiography before deciding which surgical procedure is best for his or her patient. An angiography can detect atherosclerotic disease, which causes strokes due to restricted blood flow to the brain. Angiography can be used to detect aneurysms in the brain and renal artery disease in the kidneys. They also help in preparation for leg surgeries where blood vessels may be found that show signs of disease.
There are many benefits to having an angiography. These benefits include providing your doctor with an accurately detailed picture of your blood vessels. Angiography provides the ability to evaluate specific blood vessels in specific areas of the body. Unlike other medical procedures, the problem you are experiencing can be diagnosed and treated at the same time.
Some of the risks may involve the patient having an allergic reaction to the dye. Allergic reactions can cause a patient’s blood pressure to drop. There may also be a skin reaction where the dye was put or the patient may have difficulty breathing.
There is a slight risk that the angiography itself could cause a blood clot to form where the catheter tip is and block an artery. If the patient has kidney disease and undergoes angiography, excretion of the dye in the urine could cause the disease to worsen. Although very rare, there is also a risk of internal bleeding.
As with any medical procedure, there are benefits and risks to doing an angiography. It is essential that the patient understands them beforehand. The benefits and risks should be discussed in detail with the doctor to decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks and whether angiography is suitable for the patient.
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