Angiography is an examination procedure using X-rays (X-rays) to look at arteries and veins. Angiography helps the doctor determine the level of damage and damage to blood vessels. The examination is generally carried out on patients who have blocked arteries such as coronary heart disease.
In an angiography procedure, the doctor injects a dye (contrast) into a blood vessel. With this substance, blood flow can be clearly seen by X-rays. The results of the angiography imaging will be printed in the form of X-rays and stored in a computer file.
Based on the area of the blood vessel examined, angiography is divided into several types, namely:
- Coronary angiography, to examine coronary arteries in the heart.
- Cerebral angiography, to examine blood vessels in the brain.
- Renal angiography, to check blood vessels in the kidneys.
- Pulmonary angiography, to examine the blood vessels in the lungs.
- Fluorescein angiography, to examine blood vessels in the eye.
- Extremity angiography, to examine the blood vessels in the arms and legs.
In addition to using X-ray photography techniques, angiography also applies scanning techniques through computerized tomography (CT) angiography or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography.
Angiography Indications
The doctor will recommend an angiography procedure for patients who experience:
- Rupture of blood vessels causing internal organ bleeding.
- Changes in the condition of blood vessels caused by injury or organ damage.
- Tumor.
- Atherosclerosis, the narrowing and hardening of arteries that can occur in the brain (stroke), heart (coronary heart disease), or legs and arms (peripheral arterial disease).
- Aneurysm or enlargement of blood vessels in one area of the body, such as the brain or aortic enlarged veins.
- Pulmonary embolism or blocked arteries that supply blood to the lungs.
- Barriers to blood supply to the kidneys.
Angiography Warning
Consult your doctor first if you have the following conditions:
- Pregnant woman or planning a pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding mothers.
- Have a history of allergies, especially allergic to contrast.
- Having clotting disorders or are taking blood-thinning medication.
- Suffering from diabetes and kidney disease.
Before Angiography
Things that need to be considered before an angiography is:
- It is not allowed to eat and drink for 4-8 hours before the angiography procedure begins.
- For diabetics, there will be adjustments to the dosage of oral medication or insulin before taking action.
- Stopping blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin or warfarin a few days before.
Angiography Procedure
Angiography procedure lasts around 30-180 minutes. The patient is asked to lie down quietly during the procedure and undergo angiography in a conscious state. However, the doctor will provide local anesthesia to reduce pain. Local anesthesia is carried out at the catheter puncture site into a blood vessel.
After entering the catheter, a contrast agent will be injected through the catheter and flow in the blood vessels. The patient will feel a warm or slight burning sensation due to this injection. By using X-rays, coloring substances flowing in the blood vessels will appear on the monitor screen, which will later be printed.
Through this technique, problems in the blood vessels can be immediately identified, such as narrowing or blockage. If necessary, the procedure will be to install a balloon to develop blood vessels (angioplasty).
After the procedure is completed, the doctor will close the catheter puncture wound with a bandage that is thick and tight enough to provide a compressing effect, thereby reducing the risk of bleeding.
After Angiography
The patient will be rested in the recovery room for several hours to prevent bleeding. Patients are advised to rest in hospital for one day after undergoing angiography. If allowed to go home after the action, ask your family or closest relatives to accompany you, for at least one full day.
On the following day, patients are allowed to carry out activities as usual. But over the next few days, avoid strenuous activities like exercising too hard or lifting weights. Inadequate food intake and lots of drinking water to speed up the removal of contrast substances through urine.
Side Effects and Complications of Angiography
Angiography is a safe procedure. It only causes small side effects such as pain, discomfort, and bruising due to catheter puncture. Side effects will subside in a matter of days.
Serious side effects, but rare, can include:
- Kidney damage due to injection of contrast dyes.
- Infection.
- Damage to blood vessels and internal organ bleeding.
- The allergic reaction of the substance contrasts with the symptoms of skin rashes, itching, fever, dizziness, to difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness.
- Stroke and heart attack.
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