Angiogram

(From www.bbc.co.uk/health) What is it? An angiogram (arteriogram, cardiac catheter) is a test where radio-opaque dye ('contrast medium') is injected into the arterial system of an organ, most commonly the heart but also kidneys, head and lungs - and then a series of X-rays (made as a real-time film) are taken to show the blood vessels where they fill or where they are blocked such as in coronary heart disease. Although other tests may give an idea of organ function, the angiogram shows the blood supply to that organ, including the exact location of any defects or blockages, and is used in diagnosis of disease. In coronary angiography, for example, the blood vessels to the heart which are narrowed or blocked due to atherosclerosis, causing angina, will be shown and heart surgery or interventional procedures such as Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty/Stent (PTCA) may be planned. PTCA – Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty/Stent is a procedure which has revolutionised the management of heart disease, avoiding open heart surgery in those with only one or two vessels affected. It involves an angiogram to show the location of the lesions of the coronary vessels, followed by insertion of a balloon and/or stent to open the narrowing. Preparation tips and actual procedure The angiogram will be performed in an operating theatre with X-ray facilities and takes up to an hour (or more if PCTA is undertaken). You will be asked not to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. After the doctor has checked your history, explained the test and asked you to sign the consent form, you will be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown. He will also check that you are not allergic to the contrast medium (dye). You may be given a sedative to help you relax during the procedure but you will be awake and able to follow instructions. After cleansing the skin and using some local anaesthetic, an intravenous line will be put into one of your veins, usually in the groin. If you are having a coronary angiogram then a fine catheter is passed up toward the organ and threaded into its vessels. Radio-opaque dye will be injected and an X-ray technique called fluoroscopy will produce a real-time short film of the dye as it travels through the vessels, outlining them. If a further procedure such as PTCA is appropriate, this may be performed with the aid of the angiogram showing the vessels and what is happening to them. After the test the IV line will be removed and a small pressure dressing put on the site to stop it bleeding. You may need to lie flat for a while. Possible results Normal The radiologist may report the picture as showing no abnormality. Occasionally, some defects may be noted but considered normal. Abnormal Abnormalities which may be seen on angiogram may indicate the need for further investigation, intervention or surgery. Some procedures are possible at the same time as angiography, including pressure measurements, blood and tissue sampling, balloon angioplasty, stent insertion and even repair of heart defects and valve problems. Your doctor will discuss this with you. ******************************************************************************************************************************** All this while I thought that the procedure my Mother has to go through is called endogram. Yesterday Kak Yah corrected me that it’s actually angiogram. Kak Yah’s husband, Abang Wan has gone through the same procedure in January. Alhamdulillah he’s doing well.