Procedure for Angiography

What is Angiography?

Angiography is an imaging procedure done for visualizing the internal structure of the blood vessels and heart by using a special radio-opaque dye.

Procedure Details

The patient is usually given local anaesthesia

• An IV (intravenous line) is inserted into a vein

  (Intravenous line is inserted into a vein (blood vessel) using a needle. Once inserted, the needle is detached. This IV line is connected to either of the flowing:
  • Long tubing
  • Bag/Syringe that contains fluids/nutrients/medications)
• A miniature tube known as 'sheath' is inserted into one of the arteries. With this, a flexible thin tube called catheter is inserted through this sheath and blood vessels called arteries are examined thoroughly. With respect to the area to be screened, the insertion of the catheter could be into arteries of thigh or wrist.
• With the help of X-rays, the catheter is guided to the appropriate place. A contrast dye is then injected through this catheter and a series of X-rays are taken.

Angiography benefits

Coronary angiography aids the physician to determine the severity of the atherosclerosis stages (hardening and narrowing of the arteries by substances like plaque or cholesterol - leading to arterial blockages and eventually restricting the blood flow) in the arteries of the heart to establish the type of treatment. This angiography test for heart attacks gives accurate results regarding the severity of arterial blocks in the heart.

Cardiac CT Angiography

This procedure is synonymously known as Computed tomography angiography or CT angiography or CTA. It is a procedure used to visualize the arterial and venous vessels throughout our body.

Things to keep in mind

• This procedure is synonymously known as Computed tomography angiography or CT angiography or CTA. It is a procedure used to visualize the arterial and venous vessels throughout our body.
• This procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the severity and complexity of the condition.This procedure is synonymously known as Computed tomography angiography or CT angiography or CTA. It is a procedure used to visualize the arterial and venous vessels throughout our body.
• On completion of this procedure, the catheter is withdrawn and the incision is closed.
• After the procedure, the patient is usually shifted to the recovery room for observation and to prevent bleeding from the incision area.