Recently radiologists, cardiologists and vascular surgeons have been using X–ray angiography procedure to guide minimally invasive surgery of the blood vessels and arteries of the heart. In the last several years, diagnostic vascular images are often made using MR, CT and/or ultrasound while X–ray angiography is reserved for therapy. Direct Arteriography involves direct injection of contrast material into the artery which is to be examined either through a needle puncture or an arterial catheterization – a tube or catheter is introduced into the artery under X–ray guidance, contrast is injected and various radiographies in different projections are obtained.
Common Indications for Arteriography
1. Vascular Lesion.
Angiography- Congenital.
- Aneurysms/Dissection.
- Thrombosis/Sterosis.
- Embolus.
- A. V. Malformation/Fistula.
- Hemorrhage.
- Conventional Angiogram.
- Identify abnormal tumor of descending aorta.
- Give information to surgeon regarding vascularity kidneys and renal / blood supply of tumor arteries.
- Permit embolization of inoperable tumors or of highly vascular tumors before surgery.
- Establish correct diagnosis where CT findings are equivocal or inconclusive
- Tumors anywhere in the body can be studied by angiography.