Catheter angiography is one of the most detailed and invasive diagnostic procedures for identifying heart-related anomalies for evaluating vital information about the structure and function of the heart. The procedure helps to examine blood vessels in key body areas, including the brain, heart, legs, arms, chest, and abdomen. This diagnostic procedure uses a special dye or contrast material and an X-ray image to see the heart's blood vessels and how efficiently blood flows through arteries. This technique makes it possible to diagnose many ailments by producing detailed and accurate pictures of the blood vessels, besides helping to identify abnormalities such as aneurysms and atherosclerosis. It lets the doctors decide the exact course of treatment for the patient.
Also Read: Atherosclerosis - Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
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When Is Catheter Angiography Recommended?
Doctors advise catheter angiography in case of the following scenarios:
- Diagnosing chest pain or arrhythmia
- Evaluating coronary artery diseases
- Identifying reasons for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Check the levels of blood flow, oxygen level, and pressure in the heart
- To determine the need for the interventional procedure, coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG
- To diagnose cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, and pulmonary hypertension
- Assisting with planning a heart transplant or a coronary bypass
- Identifying the need for a stent to open an artery blockage
- Detecting injury to one or more arteries in the chest, abdomen, pelvis, or limbs
- Evaluating obstructions of vessels
- Identify congenital abnormalities in blood vessels in children and malformation in the heart or other blood vessels due to congenital heart disease
Also Read: Peripheral Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
How Is Catheter Angiography Done?
This examiner uses a radiographic table and a video monitor to conduct a catheter angiography. A tube, also called a catheter, is inserted into the blood vessels by making a small incision in the skin. The expert injects a contrast material through the catheter and captures images by passing X-rays. The process is called fluoroscopy, which converts X-rays into video images and helps the medical practitioner to view them and thus create a detailed prognosis. After the catheter is inserted into an artery or sometimes the vein, it is directed toward the blood vessels and to the area that needs to be examined. Multiple X-rays are taken when the contrast material is injected and after it reaches the blood vessels. After the required images are taken, the catheter is removed, the incision area is closed through a specific device, and pressure is applied to the place where the cut was made.
How To Prepare For Catheter Angiography?
Before deciding to go for a catheter angiography, the doctor must be informed about the existing ailments and recent illnesses and the medications you are taking, besides any possible allergies to iodine contrast materials. Women should always tell the doctor if they are expecting. The doctor will take precautions to minimize radiation exposure to the baby and will avoid taking X-rays unless essential. This exam is done on an outpatient basis, and you will be asked to change into a gown before the procedure. An intravenous line will be inserted into the vein. A sedative is given during this procedure, and the doctor will advise you not to eat or drink at least eight hours before the exam.
After The Procedure
The patient may be asked to lie down until the effect of the sedative goes away. If the patient notices any bleeding, swelling, or pain around the place from where the catheter was inserted, the doctor must be informed at the earliest. If there are no complications, the patient can resume normal activities within ten to twelve hours after the procedure. A radiologist accompanied by a doctor will interpret these radiology examinations, analyze them in detail, and provide the results that could be most likely on the same day. Depending upon the results, a further course of treatment is recommended. The procedure is safe and does not have any severe complications.
