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SL Raheja Hospital is located in the suburb of Mahim in Mumbai It is associated with Fortis Hospitals and has established a high standard of healthcare services and medical facilities since its inception. We are one of the best multispecialty hospitals in Mumbai

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S.L. Raheja Hospital (A Fortis Associate) Raheja Rugnalaya Marg, Mahim (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400016, India.

Emergency No- 022-66529888

info@rahejahospital.com

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What is Angiography?

What is Angiography?

Have you ever wondered how doctors peek inside your body to see your blood vessels? Well, there's a fascinating technique called angiography that helps them do just that! Today, we are going to take a closer look at what angiography is all about.

What Is Angiography?

Angiography, simply put, is like taking an X-ray of your blood vessels. It helps doctors see if there are any problems, like blockages or narrow spots, in your arteries or veins. Now, why is it important to check for any concerns with the blood vessels? Because these blood vessels carry blood to different parts of your body, it's important to keep them healthy.

How Does Angiography Work?

Angiography is a simple process. Here’s what it looks like:

  • First, a special dye called contrast material is injected into your bloodstream. This dye often contains iodine in it.
  • This dye shows up on X-ray images, making your blood vessels visible.
  • Then, X-ray pictures are taken as the dye flows through your vessels.

 

This gives doctors a clear picture of how blood is moving through your body and if there are any issues.

Types of Angiography

Now that you have understood what angiography is and how it works, let’s look at the different types. Broadly, there are 4 common types:

Coronary Angiography

It focuses on the blood vessels of the heart for diagnosing heart conditions and evaluating the blood flow to the heart muscle.

Cerebral Angiography

Here, the focus is on the blood vessels in the brain. It's used to detect abnormalities like:

  • Aneurysms
  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
  • Strokes

Peripheral Angiography

This one studies the blood vessels in the arms, legs, or other parts outside the chest and abdomen. It's often used to detect peripheral artery disease (PAD) or to plan treatments for blocked arteries in the limbs.

Pulmonary Angiography

Pulmonary angiography looks at the blood vessels in the lungs. It's used to detect pulmonary embolism—a condition where blood clots block blood flow in the lungs.

Why Would You Need Angiography?

Now, you might be wondering, why would someone need angiography? Well, here’s the answer:

Diagnosing Heart Disease

Angiography is used to detect coronary artery disease. It is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked.

 

By seeing these arteries with angiography, doctors can assess the extent of blockages. Accordingly, they can decide further treatment such as:

  • Placing a stent to keep the artery open
  • Angioplasty to widen the narrowed artery

Evaluating Stroke Risk

If you are at risk of stroke or have experienced it before, cerebral angiography can be crucial. It allows doctors to examine the blood vessels in the brain for abnormalities such as blood clots or weak spots that could lead to a stroke.

Detecting Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD is a condition marked by narrowed arteries in the limbs, typically the legs. This narrowing can cause symptoms such as:

  • Leg pain
  • Cramping
  • Numbness

 

Angiography helps identify the location and severity of blockages. Consequently, the reports help guide treatment options like:

  • Medication
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Surgical procedures to restore blood flow

Treating Aneurysm

An aneurysm occurs when a weak blood vessel bulges or balloons out. Thus leading to a risk of rupture and severe bleeding. Angiography helps doctors see its size, location, and shape. Then, depending on the specific case, treatment options are decided. These may include the following:

 

  • Endovascular coiling
  • Stent placement
  • Surgical repair

Angiography and TAVR Procedure: What’s The Connection?

Angiography and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) are two different yet interlinked procedures. Together, they help detect heart conditions and treat them. Here’s how.

 

Before undergoing a TAVR procedure, patients often undergo angiography to assess the condition of their heart. This is done to identify any coexisting blockages or abnormalities that could affect the success of the procedure.

 

Then, angiography is used during the TAVR procedure to guide the placement of the new artificial valve. And post-TAVR, it is used to evaluate the success and detect any potential complications. For instance, leaks around the new valve or damage to adjacent blood vessels.

Conclusion

But is angiography safe? Yes, it's generally safe, but like any medical procedure, there are some risks involved. The most common risk is an allergic reaction, but serious complications are rare.

 

Before getting angiography, our doctors at S L Raheja will discuss the procedure with you and make sure you understand what to expect. They'll also ask about any allergies or medical conditions you have to ensure your safety. The best part? Most people can go home the same day and resume their normal activities within a day or two!

 

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