Angiogram

An angiogram, also known as arteriography or angiography, is a diagnostic medical imaging procedure involving taking an x-ray picture in order to view the blood vessels of the body, including the heart chambers, veins, and arteries. The term ‘angiogram’ has been derived from the Greek words ‘angeion’, which means ‘vessel’, and ‘graphien’, which means ‘to record or write’.

The x-rays that are normally taken are usually used to view bones. But in an angiogram, a contrast material is introduced into the blood vessels, which enables them to become visible with an x-ray. The substance that is injected is later eliminated via the urine by the body.

Some of the most common angiograms are: coronary angiogram, wherein the blood vessels near the heart are examined; cerebral angiogram, which involves examining the blood vessels related to the brain; carotid angiogram, for the neck and head; peripheral angiogram, for the arms or legs; and the aortogram, for the aorta.

Egas Moniz, a Portuguese neurologist and physician, who won the Nobel Prize in 1949, was the one who devised the method of contrasted cerebral angiography in order to diagnose various kinds of nervous disorders, like arteriovenous abnormalities and tumors, in 1927. He is generally regarded as one of the principle pioneers in the field of angiography. The angiogram procedure became perceptibly safer when the Seldinger technique was introduced in 1953, since it eliminated the need to introduce and sharp devices into the vascular lumen.

During the angiogram, a catheter, which is a thin flexible tube, is inserted into either the brachial artery, which is located just above the elbow or in the femoral vein or artery in the groin. Once the catheter is inserted it is maneuvered to the region to be studied. After that, a contrast material such as an iodine dye is injected into the blood vessel, which results in displaying the area on the x-ray pictures. This technique is known as catheter or conventional angiogram.

The angiogram helps the doctor to see if the blood vessels have become enlarged, narrowed, or blocked. Some arteries become constricted which is known as stenotic, while others can balloon out which is known as aneurysm. The angiogram can provide information about the blood is flowing through the arteries being examined as well as what kind of effect the abnormality is having on the body.

The Angiogram Procedure

• You will be positioned on the x-ray table by the radiologist, who is a medical specialist in x-ray techniques.
• The point through which the insertion will be made will be cleaned, prepared and covered with a sterile drape.
• A local anesthetic will be used to numb the skin in that area, and a hollow needle will be inserted into the artery. And then, a fine wire will be passed through this and guided to the area of the artery to be examined.
• While this process is going on, everything will be watched carefully on the x-ray monitor.
• Next, a very fine tube or catheter will be introduced over the wire until it reaches the location, after which the wire is removed.
• A syringe containing the contrasting substance is then attached. You may experience a warm sensation when the contrast is injected into you. Then, a number of x-ray pictures will be taken.
• Once the physician feels that he/she has taken enough x-rays, the catheter is removed and a pressure applied on the access site for about 10 to 20 minutes, so that there is no bleeding.
• The whole process usually takes about half an hour to be carried out.
• You will be advised to lie still for about ½ an hour to 1 hour after the angiogram procedure, after which you will be allowed to sit up.
• Once the hospital staff is satisfied with the site of the wound, you will be discharged from the hospital or be returned to your ward.
• If there is any abnormal swelling or pain, or if the wound bleeds excessively, or if the leg or arm becomes blotchy and discolored, you should get in touch with the doctor immediately.