What is angiography?
Angiography is a test that analyzes how blood flows through the brain.
What is angiography?
First, a catheter is inserted into a peripheral artery, usually the femoral or cubital vein. Through this catheter, a dye is administered to contrast the area to be visualized. Thus, the catheter advances through the arterial system until it reaches one of the two coronary arteries. Thanks to the contrast of the dye distributed with the blood, the opening of the arteries can be visualized by X-ray.
Why is angiography performed?
Angiography is performed to diagnose blood vessel problems in the brain, such as aneurysm, vascular malformation, vasculitis or narrowing of arteries in the brain. It may also be needed to evaluate head and neck arteries prior to surgery, evaluate blood flow to a tumor, or detect a clot that may have caused a stroke.
Preparing for angiography
Before the test, the patient is examined, including the blood test. It is important to inform the specialist if the patient is in one of these situations:
- History of bleeding problems.
- Taking medications that thin the blood
- Have had any allergic reaction to the contrast substance or to any iodine-containing substance.
- May be pregnant
- Kidney function problems
You may also be unable to eat or drink for four to eight hours before the test. Once at the test site, you will put on a hospital gown and remove all jewelry.
How do you feel during the test?
First of all, the x-ray table may be hard and cold, although you may ask for a pillow to avoid contact with it. In some cases, you may also feel a prick when the local anesthesia is applied. As the catheter is inserted and moves inside the body, you will feel a brief sharp pain and pressure.
You may also feel warmth or burning on the skin of your head or face from the contrast dye, but this is a normal sensation and usually goes away after a few seconds. After the test, there may be bruising at the injection site.
What abnormal angiography results mean
This test can diagnose aneurysms in the aorta, arteriosclerotic disease of the carotid arteries in the neck, diseases in the blood vessels of the brain such as small aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations, among other problems of the vessels of the brain.