What is Angiography?
3 July 2024
What is Angiography?
Understanding Angiography
Angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualise the inside of blood vessels and organs, particularly the arteries, veins, and heart chambers. This procedure involves injecting a contrast dye into the blood vessels and taking X-ray images to detect any blockages, abnormalities, or issues with blood flow.
The Angiography Procedure
The procedure usually begins with the administration of a local anaesthetic. A catheter is then inserted into a blood vessel, typically in the groin or arm, and guided to the area to be examined. The contrast dye is injected through the catheter, and X-ray images are taken to provide detailed views of the blood vessels.
Applications of Angiography
Angiography is commonly used to diagnose and evaluate conditions such as coronary artery disease, aneurysms, blood clots, and peripheral artery disease. It can also guide interventional procedures like angioplasty, where narrowed or blocked arteries are widened using a balloon or stent.