What is Angiography?

What is Angiography?

The history of angiography imaging method dates back to 400 BC. In recent years, along with the developments in the field of science and technology, there have been significant developments in medical imaging methods. Angiography, one of the imaging methods, is used to examine in detail the anatomical structure and features of the vascular system, including the chambers of the heart. While angiography was first used only to diagnose diseases, today angiography is an important part of interventional treatment. When it comes to angiography, the first thing that comes to mind is the examination of the vessels that feed the heart. However, angiography literally means imaging the vessels. In other words, angiography is an imaging method that allows detailed examination of the vessels connected to organs such as the brain, heart and liver. For this reason, when naming angiography in the medical literature, the name of the organ examined is used. For example; The angiography procedure that examines the coronary heart disease that feeds the heart is called coronary angiography, the angiography examination that examines the brain vessels is called cerebral angiography, or the angiography procedure examining the kidney vessels is called renal angiography.

Why is Angiography Done?

Angiography is an imaging method that helps detect diseases at an early stage and saves lives. So why is angiography done? Angiography is a procedure performed to see if there is any blockage in the vessels. During angiography, aneurysms, expansion or narrowing, and balloons in the vessels can be easily detected. In addition, in some cancer cases, occlusion or displacement of the vessels may occur as a result of the pressure of the tumors on the vessels. In diseases such as heart attack and stroke, detecting the vessel causing the crisis is very important for early intervention. In such cases, angiography reveals the blocked vein and begins treatment. Angiography is not only a procedure used in the diagnosis of diseases. In some cases, interventional treatment methods such as inserting stents into blocked vessels are also applied through angiography.

How is Angiography Done?

It is not easy to visualize the vessels with every radiological imaging method. In the angiography method, administering a contrast agent to the veins allows the veins to be visualized. Before the angiography procedure, the specialist doctor who will perform the procedure will give some recommendations to the patient. The patient takes a bath the day before the procedure. During the angiography procedure, it is usually entered from the wrist and groin area. In order for the procedure to be performed in a more sterile manner, the patient must clean the hair in the groin area before the procedure. If the patient is unable to make these preparations on his own, he can ask for help from a relative or the staff at the health institution. The patient must be hungry during the procedure. For this reason, if possible, the patient is not recommended to eat or drink anything after 24:00 at night. The patient should inform the doctor before the operation about any medications he or she uses, especially those with blood thinning effects.

So how is angiography done? Anesthesia is generally not used during the angiography procedure; the hand or groin area where the body will be entered is anesthetized and disinfected. Afterwards, a cannula is inserted into the artery from whichever area to be entered and the entrance way is opened. A tube-shaped catheter is placed into the opened entrance. The progress of the catheter in the body is monitored on a monitor by the team performing the procedure. Afterwards, a contrast material that allows visualization of the veins is sent to the body through the catheter. The amount of contrast material used varies depending on the patients age, weight, gender and disease-related complaints. The contrast material sent during coronary angiography reaches the heart, while the heart is functioning. Images of the veins are taken with the help of X-rays and transferred to the computer. The transferred images are reported by a specialist doctor.

How Long Does Angiography Take?

Angiography is an effective method used in the diagnosis of many diseases. Some patients think that angiography is a long and difficult procedure. So how long does angiography take? The angiography procedure takes approximately 20-60 minutes. This period may vary depending on the patients age, weight and the vessels to be examined. Angiography is not a painful procedure. For this reason, patients usually do not feel any pain during this period. However, after angiography, patients are not recommended to get out of bed or move the area where the procedure is performed for 6-8 hours due to the risk of bleeding.

What are the things to consider after angiography?

Before the procedure, the doctor who will perform the procedure asks the patient to bring water with him. The most important reason for this is to minimize the risk of the contrast material used in the procedure damaging the kidneys. If the patient does not have a health problem that prevents him from drinking large amounts of water, it is recommended that he consume approximately 2 liters of fluid within 2 hours after the procedure. When the patient comes to the room after the procedure, the doctor performing the operation removes the catheter. However, after the catheter is removed, a sandbag is placed in the area where the procedure is performed, especially in angiography performed in the groin. The placed sandbag should be kept for approximately 6 hours and should not be removed. At the same time, since moving the leg may cause bleeding, the patient should not get up to need the toilet during this period and should get help from those around him. Sudden movements such as coughing may cause bleeding, so in case of a sudden reflex, manual pressure should be applied to the treated area. After the angiography procedure, conditions such as swelling and edema may rarely occur in the treated area. After leaving the hospital, the patient can continue his daily life. After angiography, pain, swelling and edema may rarely occur in the treated area. In this case, a doctor should be consulted without wasting time.

Angiography Risks and Possible Complications

When performed by an expert and experienced team in the field of angiography, the likelihood of angiography-related complications is almost non-existent. However, as with every procedure, some risks and complications may occur after angiography. Possible risks of angiography can be listed as follows:

• Particularly after procedures performed through the groin, movement of the patient or inadequate pressure on the procedure area may cause a risk of bleeding. In this case, extensive bruising may occur on the patients leg.
• If the patient is allergic to the contrast material used, mild allergic reactions such as itching and redness may occur.
• Burning and warmth may be felt in the treated area.
• Nausea and dizziness may occur due to long-term fasting.
• The patients kidney functions may deteriorate. This situation is usually temporary. However, rarely, serious damage to the kidneys may occur. In this case, the patient requires urgent intervention.
• Pain, swelling and redness may occur in the entry area where the cannula is placed. Since this situation is usually a sign of an infection, the nearest health institution should be consulted without delay.
• An angiography procedure that is not performed by a specialist team may damage the vein that is entered.
• There is a risk of heart attack and stroke during the procedure. However, there is not enough evidence to say that this condition is directly related to angiography. The patients blocked artery may cause a risk of heart attack and stroke during the procedure.

Angiography is an important life-saving imaging method when performed by experts. Thanks to angiography, many important diseases such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and liver diseases can be detected and treated at an early stage. Do not forget to contact the nearest health institution to get detailed information about angiography. We wish you healthy days.