Angiography Unit

Angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize blood vessels in the body. In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is used. This tube is inserted into an artery in the groin or arm, then advanced to the relevant vessel.

Thanks to a contrast agent injected through the tip of the catheter, blood vessels become visible under an X-ray machine. Angiography is used to examine many different vascular regions. Coronary angiography is performed for heart vessels, cerebral angiography for brain vessels, and peripheral angiography for leg vessels.

An angiography procedure is generally a brief process. Inserting the catheter into the vessel and administering the contrast agent takes a few minutes. However, for some patients, the preparation period and post-procedure observation time can extend the total hospital stay. In coronary angiography, the catheter is usually advanced from an artery in the groin or from wrist vessels all the way to the heart.

Angiography is a crucial medical imaging technique performed for various reasons. The primary goal is to visualize the internal structure of blood vessels and blood flow in detail to identify potential problems. Here are some of the reasons why angiography is performed:

Diagnostic Reasons:

Detection of Coronary Artery Disease: For individuals suspected of having coronary artery disease, which is vital for heart health. These patients often present with chest pain or shortness of breath. It's also performed if abnormalities are detected in an exercise stress test or for those who have experienced a heart attack. Angiography is the best method to identify narrowing, blockages, or other abnormalities in the heart's blood vessels.

• Analysis of Peripheral Artery Diseases: To find narrowing or blockages in arteries supplying organs like the legs and arms. Aneurysms (blood vessel dilatations) should also be checked.

• Examination of Cerebral Vascular Diseases: It can be performed to detect narrowing, blockages, aneurysms, or vascular malformations (AVMs) in the brain's blood vessels. These conditions can cause symptoms such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or headaches.

• Analysis of Renal Vessels: Narrowing in kidney vessels (renal artery stenosis) can lead to high blood pressure. This condition can be diagnosed with angiography.

• Detection of Vascular Anomalies: Used in the diagnosis of conditions such as narrowing, blockages, bleeding, or tumors in blood vessels in other parts of the body.

• Detection of Blood Clots: Angiography can be performed to locate and determine the size of blood clots within vessels.

• Analysis of Atherosclerosis: It can help assess the prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries.

Therapeutic Reasons (Interventional Angiography):

 Angiography is not only for diagnosis; in some cases, it can also be used for treatment. Narrowing or blockages found during the procedure can be treated in the same session or afterward. This treatment is performed using methods such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement. Such procedures are called "interventional angiography."

Angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize blood vessels in the body. The procedure typically involves the following steps:

• Preparation

• Anesthesia

• Catheter Insertion

• Catheter Advancement

• Contrast Medium Injection

• Imaging

• Catheter Removal and Closure

• Post-Procedure Observation

• Discharge

A special dye is injected into a blood vessel through a small incision. This makes the blood vessels visible under X-ray, allowing for detailed examination of any potential problems.

While the duration of angiography varies depending on several factors, it typically takes 20 minutes to 1 hour.

Groin angiography is a method where the entry point for the angiography procedure is the femoral artery in the groin area. In this method, the doctor makes a small incision in the femoral artery and inserts a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The catheter is then advanced under X-ray guidance towards the blood vessels that need to be examined (e.g., heart, legs, kidneys). A contrast medium is injected through the tip of the catheter, making these vessels visible under the X-ray machine.

Arm angiography is a method where the entry point for the angiography procedure is one of the arteries in the arm. These arteries are usually the radial artery in the wrist or the brachial artery in the elbow. In recent years, it has become a frequently preferred alternative to groin angiography due to increased patient comfort and reduced risk of complications.

Stent placement during angiography is typically performed as part of a procedure called angioplasty. The goal is to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels identified during angiography and prevent them from narrowing again.

Stents are categorized into different types based on their purpose and the materials they are made from:

• Bare Metal Stents (BMS)

• Drug-Eluting Stents (DES)

• Bioresorbable Scaffolds (BRS)

• Covered Stents

The entire angiography and stent placement procedure can be completed within 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The period after an angiography is crucial for the success of the procedure and the patient's health, requiring careful attention to certain dos and don'ts. The post-procedure process may vary depending on the insertion site (groin or arm).

• Rest: You'll need to rest for a period after the procedure. Your doctor will determine your hospital stay and the duration of your required bed rest.

• Puncture Site Care: The catheter insertion site must be kept clean and dry. Dressings should be applied as recommended by your doctor, and patients with signs of infection (redness, swelling, increased warmth, discharge) should be monitored.

• Pain Control: You might feel mild pain at the insertion site. You can use pain relievers as advised by your doctor.

• Fluid Intake: It's important to drink plenty of water to help flush the contrast medium from your body.

• Medication Adherence: Make sure to take all prescribed medications regularly, such as blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs. These medications are especially important if a stent was placed.

• Avoid Heavy Lifting: Refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous physical activities for the period specified by your doctor.

• Driving: Consult your doctor about when you can resume driving. You should especially avoid driving for some time if you received sedatives.

• Follow-up Appointments: Attending your scheduled follow-up appointments is crucial. During these visits, your recovery process will be evaluated, and necessary guidance will be provided.

• Leg Immobility: You should lie without bending or moving the leg where the catheter was inserted for the duration advised by your doctor (typically 4-6 hours). This helps reduce the risk of bleeding.

• Sandbag: A sandbag might be placed on your groin area to prevent bleeding. Keep this sandbag in place for the specified time as instructed by your doctor.

• First Mobilization: You might feel dizzy or lightheaded when you first get out of bed. Make sure to get up slowly and with support.

• Leg Use: Avoid excessive leg movements for several days after discharge. Be careful not to stand for long periods or lift heavy objects.

• Wristband or Bandage: A special wristband or a tight bandage might be applied to the insertion site to stop bleeding. Do not remove this wristband or bandage before the time specified by your doctor.

• Arm Movement: After the wristband or bandage is removed, avoid excessive arm movement for a few days. Refrain from lifting weights and strenuous activities.

• Arm Swelling and Bruising: You might experience slight swelling and bruising at the insertion site. This usually resolves on its own within a few days. If you experience severe swelling or pain, contact your doctor.

While angiography is a commonly used and generally safe medical imaging technique today, like all medical procedures, it carries some potential risks. The likelihood of these risks occurring is low and generally depends on factors such as the patient's overall health, age, and the type of angiography performed.

At A Life Healthcare Group, our Angiography Unit diagnoses and treats cardiovascular diseases. We provide service with the latest technology and an expert team, making us a modern and reliable center.

• Experienced and Expert Staff: Our team comprises specialized cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, nurses, and technicians, all dedicated to offering you the best possible service.

• Coronary Angiography: Performed to visualize the coronary arteries that supply the heart and detect any narrowing or blockages.

• Peripheral Angiography: Used to image blood vessels in other parts of the body, such as the legs, arms, kidneys, or brain.

• Angioplasty and Stenting: This procedure involves placing a balloon or stent to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels.

Please contact us for detailed information regarding angiography prices.

A Life Healthcare Group's Angiography Unit is a reliable choice for your cardiovascular health.