A contrast dye is then sent through the catheter to help the arteries show up on an X-ray. CT imaging uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce comprehensive, detailed images. In particular, CCTA detects both hard and the more difficult to find soft plaques, which may be more likely to cause heart attacks and death.
Coronary angiography is the most common method for detecting coronary artery stenosis, or narrowing of an artery that may require a stent or bypass surgery. In these cases, it can be used for both diagnosis and treatment in a single session, since the images are finely detailed and precise. This procedure is most often recommended for patients with a high risk of coronary artery disease and typical symptoms.
CCTA is quick, precise and relatively painless with results that are detailed enough for doctors to make decisions that are percent accurate in patients without severe disease.
It also requires very little preparation and no recovery time. A coronary angiography is an invasive procedure, which in rare cases can lead to serious problems like heart attack or stroke. You may take your other morning medications with a small amount of water. The radiologist or nurse will discuss the test with you, explain the risks, answer any questions, and have you sign consent forms.
Step 1: prepare the patient You will lie on your back on an x-ray table. Your head is positioned so that it will not move during the test. Your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored throughout the test. Step 2: insert the catheter The catheter is usually inserted into the femoral artery in the groin, however other arteries may be chosen. The inner thigh and groin area is first shaved and cleansed.
A local numbing agent is given to minimize discomfort as a skin incision is made. The femoral artery is located and a hollow needle is inserted into the artery. Next, a long guide wire and flexible catheter are passed through the needle to enter the bloodstream.
A special dye, called a contrast agent, is injected into the bloodstream through the catheter. The dye makes the blood vessels visible on the x-ray monitor fluoroscope. Watching the monitor while injecting dye, the doctor carefully guides the catheter from the femoral artery in the leg, up the aorta, past the heart, and to one of four arteries in the neck that lead to the brain.
You may feel brief discomfort when the catheter is inserted, but most catheter manipulation is painless. Step 3: take x-ray pictures When the catheter is placed correctly, the doctor injects the contrast agent while x-ray pictures are taken. You may feel a hot, flushed sensation that lasts 5 to 20 seconds.
At this point you should remain very still so that the x-ray images will not be blurred. This may be repeated several times in order to view all necessary arteries. Step 4: remove the catheter Once the x-rays have been taken, the catheter will be removed and pressure is applied to the puncture site for 10 to 15 minutes so that your artery will not bleed.
A bandage may be tightly applied. Sometimes an angio-seal may be used to close the puncture site in the artery. It seals the opening by sandwiching an anchor inside the artery with a collagen sponge outside the artery.
When performing an angiogram, the doctor will first numb an area of either your arm or groin with a local anesthetic. He or she will then make a small incision and insert a plastic tube called a sheath into the blood vessel. Next, the doctor will insert a flexible tube called a catheter through the sheath and into the blood vessel.
They will guide the catheter to the right part of the blood vessel and inject the contrast material into the blood vessel through the catheter. You might feel a brief sensation of flushing or warmth after the contrast injection. After the injection, a radiologist will examine the images and interpret the angiogram based on what they see. This interpretation can help guide further therapy and will allow your doctor to know if there are any blockages or other complications in your blood vessels.
Once the procedure is over, the medical team will remove the catheter and close the incision. There are several different types of angiography, depending on which part of the body is being looked at. Occasionally, angiography may be done using scans instead of X-rays. There's also a type of angiography that's used to check the eyes, called fluorescein angiography. It's different to the other types of angiography and is not covered in this topic.
Page last reviewed: 16 January Next review due: 16 January
0コメント