What is angiography and how is it done? Is there a risk of death in angiography?

Angiography is the visualization of the vessels as word meaning. If the heart veins are displayed, it is called the heart vein, if the neck veins are displayed, or leg vein angiography for the leg veins. In cardiac angiography, it is checked whether there is stenosis and obstruction in the heart vessels that can affect life and heart functions. Thus, conditions that require treatment in the heart vessels are clarified. What is angiography and how is it done? How long does angio procedure take? Which vessels are used in angiography? How many days resting after angiography? Is the patient put to sleep while performing angiography? What is a stent?

How is Angio done?

While it has been made from groin veins for many years, in recent years it is easily performed from the wrist by experienced operators. When it is done from the wrist, it has less complications and is more comfortable for the patient, and after the procedure, the patient can sit and stand up if necessary. However, if the arm veins are very thin, it may be necessary to do it in the groin. Both methods have no superiority over each other for imaging and treatment.

Is there a risk of death in angiography?

Angiography is an invasive procedure. Therefore, it is not a completely risk-free application. The most serious risks are: death, stroke and possibility of heart attack during angiography; however, these risks are less than 1/1000 in total.

Is Patient Asleep While Angiography Is Performed?

Angio from the wrist is performed in the coronary angio laboratory by an interventional cardiologist. Wrist is numbed with local anesthesia.

How Long Does Angiography Take?

Angio surgery takes an average of 15-30 minutes. Depending on the place of entry, the area of ​​the arm or inguinal vein is anesthetized with local anesthesia. Afterwards, the heart vessels are reached with plastic pipes called catheters from that vein and the heart vessels are displayed by giving dye. If no stent or other intervention is performed after the heart vessels are visualized, the procedure is terminated and the patient is taken to the bed where he lies for rest.

What is a Stent?

The stent is a structure that is roughly a wire mesh structure made up of various metals compatible with the body that helps to keep the heart vessels open. After the stenosis in the heart vessels is expanded with a balloon, there is a tendency to narrow again. Stents minimize this reconstruction. Stents can be in the form of bare stents, drug-eluting stents or dissolving stents, depending on their type. As a result, the purpose of the use of stents is to maintain the patency of the heart vessels for a longer time and to prevent / reduce vascular occlusions such as heart attack.

Post Angio

What should be done after the operation is bed rest for 4-6 hours and if you can drink one or two liters of water in the first hours. Thus, it is aimed to minimize the effect of the dyestuffs used on your kidneys. You can also consult your doctor and use the medications you are using. If you lose your wrist, it will be sooner to get up than from the groin. If there is no attempt as a result and your doctor does not recommend surgery or intervention, you can usually be discharged on the same day.