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Arteriography is the radiologic examination of arteries using a contrast medium that is injected into an artery to make arteries visible. This type of examination can be performed most often using x-ray, although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT scan) may also be used. When an x-ray or CT scan study is performed, a liquid, radio-opaque dye is used.
Digital subtraction arteriography (DSA) has for the most part replaced film angiography. DSA uses computer techniques to process arteriographic images. In DSA, images of bone are removed (subtracted) from the x-ray image, leaving only the image of the artery for study. This gives enhanced details useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Use of DSA is especially helpful for arteriography of the carotid and cerebral arteries of the head, since they are adjacent to or surrounded by bone. DSA images also have the advantage of being projected on a video screen in real time, allowing the radiologist to determine immediately whether he or she has acquired the information the physician needs or to immediately terminate the procedure if there is a complication. Digital images can also be easily transmitted over the Internet for consultation.
Arteriography is usually performed under local anesthesia. It may also be performed in the operating room under general anesthesia during arterial graft surgery (such as coronary bypass surgery). The procedure can take as little as a few minutes or up to 2 to 3 hours. An alternative to arteriography is the use of Doppler ultrasound.
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Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Arteriography is done before operating on an artery to "see" its interior. This helps a physician decide if surgery is necessary and provides a road map for the surgeon to know exactly where to operate and how extensive an operation is necessary. Arteriography is performed before heart bypass surgery, aortic aneurysm repair, and other types of arterial surgery.
Arteriography can be used for diagnosis and before certain treatments that may eliminate the need for surgery, such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). PTA consists of an inflatable balloon being guided into a plugged artery, where it is inflated in order to compress and push fatty plaque formations to the side within the artery, often followed by placement of a stent to keep the vessel open. Other therapeutic uses of arteriography include therapeutic embolism (injection of a foreign substance into an artery to reduce or shut off the blood supply to a tumor or to stop bleeding from a blood vessel), delivery of a medication to control bleeding directly into the bleeding vessel, and treatment of tumors by infusing medication directly into the artery supplying the organ containing the tumor. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Arteriography is usually performed in a radiology or diagnostic-imaging department such as a heart catheterization laboratory. It can also be performed in the operating room during actual surgery. Except during surgery, when the individual is sedated with general anesthetic, a local anesthetic is used.
When x-ray is used, the procedure is done on an artery in the groin, arm, or neck. The groin (femoral) artery is used most often, although use of the arm (brachial) artery is being used more often than in the past. A long, slender, hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into the artery through a very small incision. The contrast medium is then injected through the catheter into the artery. The contrast media moves through the body, making arteries in other locations visible to x-rays.
Once the x-ray images have been made, the catheter is removed. Pressure is applied to the skin over the entry site to stop any bleeding. Stitches are usually unnecessary. The individual is observed in the recovery room or hospital room for 6 to 8 hours. The individual is then discharged the same day or the next morning. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| The individual should return to performing all usual activities within 1 to 3 days after arteriography. If a complication of the procedure occurs, therapy will be required, and the individual may be delayed in returning to work. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| The most common complication of arteriography is formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in the artery at the entry site. Other complications include an allergic reaction to the dye, bleeding from the puncture site, dislodgment of plaque from the inside of the artery (embolization), separation of the wall of the artery (dissection), infection, and stroke. Dehydration may increase the risk of kidney complications from the x-ray dye because of reduced blood flow to the kidney. If an individual has impaired kidney function before arteriography, the risk of worsening kidney functioning afterward increases, and certain medications and/or fluids may be given to the individual to help prevent this. Individuals taking certain medications for diabetes may develop low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Entry site complications are more frequent if there is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) at the entry site. If arteriography is done during surgery (intraoperatively), complications may arise due to the general anesthetic used. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Ordinary walking and a return to work the same day or the next day are usually allowed. If work involves lifting more than 20 pounds or a lot of bending (if the groin site was used), 2 or 3 days off work are recommended to reduce the chance of re-bleeding from the entry site. Bending of the groin or elbow at whatever site was used for performance of the arteriography should be avoided for 1 day. A longer restriction of activity may be required if an individual sustained a complication from the procedure. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| "Arteriography." American Heart Association. 19 May. 2005. American Heart Association, Inc. 19 May 2005 <http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4434>. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor