Angiography

Angiography

What Is Angio (Angiography)? How Is Angio Performed?

Angiography, commonly known as angio, is an interventional procedure used to visualize vital blood vessels in the body and assess whether there is any problem. Because blood vessels cannot be seen in detail with imaging methods such as X-rays, the angio procedure, that is, angiography, is preferred. Before the procedure, a special contrast agent is given to the patient to help visualize the inside of the blood vessels more clearly. Angiography can be performed for the heart vessels as well as for the brain, kidneys, and lungs. At Daviva Health Group, angiography procedures are performed in well-equipped angiography units by experienced specialists.

In Which Diseases Is Angiography Used?

Angiography is not used only for diagnosing heart diseases. It is used to check the health of blood vessels and how blood flows through these vessels.

Angiography is performed to diagnose many conditions that affect blood vessels.

• Atherosclerosis: A condition in which the coronary arteries narrow and blood flow becomes difficult. It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Peripheral artery disease: A condition in which blood flow to the leg muscles decreases as a result of fat buildup in the arteries. If left untreated, it increases the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart attack.
• Brain aneurysm: A condition in which a blood vessel in the brain swells or balloons for various reasons. It is a disorder that can lead to brain hemorrhage.
• Angina: A condition in which severe chest pain occurs due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. In angina, the risk of having a heart attack or stroke is higher.
• Deep vein thrombosis: A blood clot that usually forms in a vein in the leg.
• Pulmonary embolism: A condition in which a blood vessel in the lungs is blocked by a blood clot. If not treated quickly, it can be life-threatening. If pulmonary embolism is diagnosed and treated early, the likelihood of complete recovery is high.
• Hypervascular tumor: A tumor associated with many blood vessels. The increased number of blood vessels raises the risk of bleeding, and therefore removing hypervascular tumors is often difficult. Angiography can also be used to diagnose and locate a hypervascular tumor.

Angiography can also be used for a blockage in the blood flow to the kidneys.

In addition, angiography may be used during procedures such as angioplasty, stent placement, and embolization.

What Are the Types of Angiography?

Depending on which part of the body is being examined, various types of angiography are available. Common angiography types include the following;

Coronary angiography: Performed to examine the heart and nearby blood vessels. Coronary angiography is usually preferred in the following situations;

• Diagnosis of coronary artery disease and other heart conditions
• Determining whether angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery is feasible
• To determine the severity of a heart condition
• To determine the cause of chest pain, shortness of breath, or certain other symptoms
• To clarify the specific structure of a person's heart before valve replacement surgery

Aortography: Performed to examine the aorta, the body's main artery.

Aortography is usually used for the following conditions;

• Aortic aneurysms
• Tears in the aortic lining (dissection)
• Aortic insufficiency

Cerebral angiography: A procedure performed to check the blood vessels inside and around the brain.

Cerebral angiography is usually used in the following situations;

• Narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the brain
• Brain aneurysms
• Arteriovenous malformations in the brain
• Inflammation of the brain's blood vessels, that is, vasculitis

Pulmonary angiography: A procedure performed to check the blood vessels supplying the lungs.

Pulmonary angiography is usually used in the following situations;

• Pulmonary embolism
• To identify abnormalities in the pulmonary arteries and veins.

Renal angiography: Performed to check the blood vessels supplying the kidneys.

How Is Angiography Performed?

• Angiography is usually performed under local anesthesia. However, in some cases, general anesthesia may also be preferred.
• Angio is usually performed through the groin or wrist. A small incision is made in the preferred area.
• A very thin and flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the artery through the incision.
• The catheter is carefully guided to the area to be examined (for example, the heart).
• A contrast agent (dye) is injected into the catheter.
• A series of X-rays is taken as the contrast agent flows through the blood vessels.
• Heart rate is monitored with a cardiac monitor throughout the procedure.
• Depending on the type of angiography performed and the area being examined, it may take between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

What Are the Advantages of Angiography?

Angiography is not only a diagnostic tool, but it also offers many important health benefits.

• Angiography enables early detection of abnormalities in blood vessels, such as aneurysms or narrowing of the arteries. Early diagnosis helps prevent serious complications.
• Angiography images provide very clear and detailed information about the condition of the blood vessels. Thanks to these details, a clearer diagnosis can be made and the right treatment can be chosen.
• Angiography is a procedure performed with small incisions and carries a low risk of infection and complications.
• It helps plan the most appropriate treatment, such as stent placement or surgery.
• In addition to helping diagnose diseases, it also plays an important role in the treatment and follow-up of blood vessel disorders.

What Are the Risks of Angiography? (Angiography Complications)

Angiography is generally a safe and painless procedure. Still, as with any medical procedure, angiography also carries risks.

The risks of angiography can be listed as follows;

• Bruising at the incision site where the catheter is inserted, which resolves within 1–3 weeks.
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Pain
• Kidney problems and allergic reactions caused by the contrast agent given during the procedure
• Injury to blood vessels
• Although rare, leakage from a blood vessel can also be among the risks of angiography.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ANGIOGRAPHY

How Should You Prepare for Angiography?

Angiography is usually a planned procedure. Therefore, there are certain preparations that need to be made beforehand. What needs to be done before angiography can generally be listed as follows;

• Before angiography, your blood clotting rate is checked. In addition, kidney function should also be checked to avoid any future problems.
• Because a contrast agent will be used during angiography, it must be determined whether you have any allergies.
• Do not eat or drink anything for 7–8 hours before the angiography procedure.
• Share information about the medications you use with your doctor. Ask your doctor which medications should or should not be stopped before angiography.
• If you have diabetes, share this information with your doctor.
• Do not wear contact lenses, glasses, jewelry, or hair clips during angiography.
• Although angiography is usually performed under local anesthesia, someone should accompany you after the procedure.

How Long Does the Angiography Procedure Take?

The angiography procedure may vary depending on the area to be examined. However, the procedure can take approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours.

What Happens After Angiography?

• After the angiography procedure, the catheter inserted into the artery through the skin incision will be removed. After this area is bandaged, pressure will be applied for 15 minutes to prevent bleeding.
• After angiography, you will be asked to lie still in the recovery room to minimize the risk of bleeding. During this time, your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level will be continuously monitored.
• If the catheter was inserted through your leg, you may stay in the recovery room for 4–6 hours. This reduces the risk of bleeding after angiography.
• Your hospital stay after angiography may vary depending on the type of angiography performed. After some angiographies, the patient may go home the same day. After some angiographies, the patient may stay in the hospital for 1 or more days.

What Should Be Done During Recovery After Angiography? (What Should Be Considered After Angiography?)

• Drink plenty of water so that the contrast agent used during angiography can be eliminated from your body more quickly.
• Avoid strenuous activities or heavy exercise for a few days after angiography.
• Consult your doctor about when you can shower.
• If you take medications regularly, be sure to ask your doctor how they should be used.
• For a few days after angiography, there may be pain and bruising at the procedure site. However, if there is uncontrolled bleeding at the site where the procedure was performed, severe pain despite pain relievers, redness, or a change in temperature at the procedure site, you should inform your doctor.

Is Angiography a Painful Procedure? (Does Angio Hurt?)

Angiography is a minimally invasive procedure. Before the incision is made, local anesthesia is applied to the area so that you do not feel pain. Therefore, no pain or discomfort is felt during the procedure. You may feel pushing and pulling when the catheter is inserted into the artery, but this is not a painful sensation.

Are Angio and Coronary Angio the Same?

Angio is the shortened form of angiography. Angio, that is, angiography, is the imaging of blood vessels. Coronary angiography is the name given to the procedure of imaging the heart vessels.

What Is Virtual Angiography? (CT Angiography / CT Angio)

Virtual angiography is a modern imaging method performed using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to examine blood vessels or the structure of the heart in detail. Because imaging methods such as CT and MRI are used, it is also called CT Angio or MR Angio. Since there is no incision or catheter insertion in virtual angiography, there is also no recovery period.

Is There a Risk of Death with Angio?

Angio, that is, angiography, is generally a safe procedure with low risk. However, in very rare cases, damage may occur in the artery in the arm or groin where the catheter is inserted. Since this situation affects blood flow, it can result in a heart attack, stroke, or even death. However, scientific studies show that this rate does not exceed 1 in 1,000.

How Is Coronary Artery Blockage Diagnosed Without Angio?

Without angiography, coronary artery blockage can be identified in tests such as CT angio, cardiac MRI, Doppler ultrasound, and carotid ultrasound. However, the most accurate and clear method for diagnosing vessel blockage is coronary angiography.

Is There a Difference Between Groin Angio and Wrist Angio?

Both angiographies are performed to image blood vessels. Groin angio or wrist angio may vary depending on the patient's condition and the vessel that needs to be examined.

Groin angio is also known as the traditional, that is, classic angio method. It is preferred in emergencies such as heart attacks, when more than one catheter will be used, or if the patient has problems with the wrist vessels. Because it allows easy access to the main arteries and is suitable for every patient, groin angio is a preferred angiography method.

Wrist angio is an angiography method that has come to the fore in recent years and has begun to be preferred more often. It may be preferred in non-emergency situations and in patients with a higher risk of bleeding. However, in patients whose main arteries are small or blocked, groin angio is preferred over wrist angio.

How Is Groin Angiography Performed?

• The groin area where the catheter will be inserted is numbed with local anesthesia so that no pain is felt.
• A small incision is made in the groin area, and the catheter is inserted into the artery in this area.
• A special contrast agent is injected through the catheter into the small arteries of the heart. The contrast agent makes the blood flow through the arteries more visible and thus visible on X-ray.
• X-ray images are taken as the contrast agent moves through the vessels.
• After the necessary images are obtained, the catheter is removed and the patient is taken to the recovery room.

How Is Wrist Angiography Performed?

In wrist angiography, the procedures are the same as in groin angiography. Only the wrist, not the groin, is chosen as the area where the catheter will be inserted.

Is Angio Surgery?

Angiography is a procedure performed to image blood vessels. During the procedure, a small incision is made to insert the catheter into the artery. However, angio is still not considered a surgical procedure.

How Is Heart Vessel Imaging Done?

Multiple diagnostic methods are used to image the heart vessels. Coronary angiography is one of the most frequently preferred methods among them. However, in recent years, thanks to technology, CT coronary angiography, also called virtual angio, has also become widely used. In addition, Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring and heart MRI (cardiac MRI) also provide information about the heart vessels.

What Is Invasive Angiography?

In medicine, invasive procedures refer to applications performed by entering the body through a needle, tube, device, or endoscope. Since a catheter is inserted into the artery with the help of a small incision in angiography, angiography procedures performed in this way are defined as invasive procedures.

Why Is Contrast Agent Used in Angiography?

After the catheter is inserted into the artery during angiography, a special contrast agent is injected. The injected contrast agent increases the visibility of certain organs, blood vessels, or tissues in the area to be imaged.

Is Angiography Performed on an Empty Stomach?

The angiography procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia. In some cases, general anesthesia may be preferred instead of local anesthesia. Before angiography, the patient must fast for 7–8 hours.

How Much Are Angiography Prices in a Private Hospital?

Angiography fees in private hospitals may vary. The cost of angiography may differ depending on the type of angiography to be performed. In addition, the pricing policy of the private hospital and the doctor is another reason for differences in angio fees.

Angio or MRI? (MR Angiography)

MR angiography is a type of MRI that specifically examines the body's blood vessels. During MR angiography, you lie flat inside the MRI scanner. In some cases, a special dye known as contrast agent may be added to the bloodstream to make blood vessels easier to see.

Is Angio Necessary for a Heart Attack?

In conditions such as a heart attack, where blood flow is blocked, angiography can be life-saving.

Who Should Undergo Angio?

• Cardiac angiography may be recommended when chest pain or other signs suggesting coronary artery disease appear.
• Abnormal results from a stress test or ECG may create the need for angiography.
• Angiography may be performed to help decide on more advanced treatments such as stent placement or bypass surgery.
• In people who have previously had a heart attack, angiography is usually performed to determine which vessels are blocked or whether procedures such as stent placement are needed.

How Many Days of Sick Leave Are Given After Angiography?

Patients who undergo angiography may be discharged from the hospital the same day. In some cases, patients may need to stay in the hospital for 1 or more days. After angiography, 2–3 days of rest are usually recommended.