Angiography

What is angiography?
Angiography, which is used in the X-ray or radiology department of the hospital, is a type of X-ray imaging to examine blood vessels. The images produced by this method are known as angiograms and usually take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to take.

To perform imaging with this method, it is necessary to first place a needle in the femoral artery. After that, you can easily see all areas of the body in this way. Once access to the needle is established, wires and catheters are connected to the desired part through the arterial system. After angiography, an iodine-based contrast material will usually be injected into the system.

This substance helps to highlight the medium of blood moving through the vessels. For imaging, you can go to reputable hospitals, and easily go through this treatment process using local anesthesia. The duration of imaging depends on the amount of contrast in each patient.

Imaging method and angiography
The first step for the imaging is to wear the appropriate clothing of the treatment center and lie down on the X-ray bed. After that, imaging is done in the best imaging center depending on the following conditions:

The patient will usually be awake, but anesthesia may be used for young children
A small incision is made on the patient's skin, usually near the groin or wrist. Local anesthesia can be used to anesthetize the target area for angiography. So that the patient does not suffer any special injury.
A long, thin and flexible tube or catheter is inserted into the vein and helps the doctor to carefully examine the desired area. In such a situation, the patient may feel pressure and stretching, which will not be very painful.
In this step, a special colored substance (contrast substance) is injected into the vein through the catheter. This substance may cause a feeling of heat in the body. After that, the body will be reddened. Even after the angiography, the patient will have a strong urge to tear his skin for a few seconds. that this problem is the effect of contrast material and it will be solved soon.
As the contrast material flows through the veins, a series of X-ray images can be taken of the blood vessels.

How many types of angiography are divided?
There are many methods of angiography in the world, each of which can be useful in diagnosing a person's disease. Among these methods, we should mention the following:

Coronary angiography, which maps the inside of the coronary arteries. These images can determine and remove narrowings in the arteries. These strictures are responsible for chest pain and can lead to a heart attack.
Computed tomography angiography (CTA), which is performed using X-rays. The images in this method are in the form of horizontal or axial sections of blood vessels and they are used to diagnose the disease.
Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which basically images the blood vessels of the brain to check blood flow.
Pulmonary angio, which takes images of blood vessels to evaluate various conditions such as aneurysms, stenosis, or blockages.
Radionuclide angio, which is essentially a nuclear medicine procedure. A small amount of radionuclide (pharmaceutical or radioactive tracer) is needed to help examine the target tissue.
Renal angiography, also called arteriography. In this method, kidney blood vessels are imaged to detect signs of obstruction or abnormalities affecting blood supply to the kidneys.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRI): This imaging uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast dye to visualize blood vessels. Doctors often use MRI to examine the heart and other soft tissues and evaluate blood flow.

Who needs angiography?
If the patient is aware of his blood circulation problem, or if he has come to the conclusion that he needs angioplasty after going to the doctor and performing the initial treatment, he can perform body imaging. With this, the doctor can find out what is wrong with the patient's body. Finally, by conducting appropriate tests, the doctor will be able to suggest appropriate treatment options to the patient.
Angiography can be used to diagnose acute arterial diseases. This problem will lead to gangrene and organ failure, stroke and heart attack. The images taken through angiography help the doctor to warn the patient to prevent heart attacks and angina. So, in general, people who are facing heart failure problems and other internal problems can choose this treatment method.