What is Angiogram?

Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and the heart chambers.

HOW IT WORKS:

An angiogram is a diagnostic test that uses x-rays to take pictures of your blood vessels. A long flexible catheter is inserted through the blood stream to deliver dye (contrast agent) into the arteries making them visible on the x-ray.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM Angiogram:

• An angiogram can show if your coronary arteries are narrowed, where they are narrowed, and by how much. It can help your doctor see if a change in treatment—such as medicines, angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery—can improve your angina or lower your risk of heart attack or death from heart problems.
• An angiogram can't show if narrowed places in your arteries will cause a heart attack.
• If, during the test, your doctor sees that your arteries are badly narrowed, you may need to have an angioplasty or bypass surgery right away. So before you have the test, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about these treatments. Ask what the test might show and what your choices are in each case.
• You may not need an angiogram if you can control your angina symptoms with medicines and are otherwise healthy.
• The test has risks. So you may not want an angiogram if you already know that you don't want to have angioplasty or bypass surgery.

ADVANTAGES OF Angiogram:

• This modality provides accurate localization of the bleeding.
• It has a therapeutic utility that includes the use of vasopressin infusion or embolization.
• Very specific diagnosis and treatment.
• Blocked vessels can be opened and "stented".

RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK:

• We recommend a responsible adult stay with you overnight after your procedure. On occasion, it may be necessary for you to spend the night in the hospital.)
• Angiography allows your physician to view how blood circulates within vessels at specific locations in the body. This diagnostic test is used to locate the specific source of an abnormality in the neck, kidneys, legs, or other sites.