Angiography is a diagnostic test that allows for better vision of the inside of blood vessels, which is used to evaluate their shape and diagnose possible diseases such as aneurysms or arteriosclerosis, for example.
This test can be done in several places in your body, such as your brain, heart, or lungs, for example, depending on the disease you’re trying to diagnose.
- To facilitate complete observation of vessels.
- It is necessary to use a contrast product.
- Which is injected by catheterization.
- Which is a technique that uses a thin tube that is inserted into an artery in the groin or neck.
- To reach the desired site.
The price of angiography may vary depending on the location of the body to be evaluated, as well as the clinic chosen, however, it is around 4 thousand reais.
This test helps diagnose several problems, depending on where you perform them.Examples include:
Brain angiography
Cardiac angiografia
Pulmonary angiography
Ocular angiography
This test is usually done only when other less invasive tests, such as MRI or CT scan, have failed to correctly identify the problem.
Anesthesia is applied to the place where the catheter will be inserted, which is a small tube guided by the doctor to the place where blood vessels should be observed, which is usually inserted into the groin or neck.
After inserting the catheter into the site to be analyzed, the doctor injects the contrast and takes several x-rays into the x-ray machine, the contrast fluid is reflected by the rays imitated by the machine and, as a result, appears with a different color in the images taken, allowing you to observe the full journey of the ship.
During the exam, you stay awake, but as you should be as still as possible, your doctor may apply medications to calm you down so you may feel a little sleepy.
This test lasts about an hour, but it is possible to return home soon after, as no general anesthesia is necessary.In some cases, it may also be necessary to sew and place a bandage over the site where the catheter was inserted.
To perform the test, it is important to fast for about 8 hours to avoid vomiting, especially if your doctor will use a remedy to calm down during the exam.
In addition, in some cases it is necessary to stop taking certain medications 2 to 5 before the procedure, such as anticoagulants, cumadine, lovenox, metformin, aspirin glycophagus, for example, so it is very important to inform your doctor of the remedies you need.they’re drinking.
Within 24 hours of the test, no physical activity should be performed at rest to prevent bleeding and common medications should only be taken when requested by your doctor.
The most common risk of this test is an allergic reaction to the inserted contrast product, but your doctor usually prepares medications to inject if this happens.In addition, bleeding may also occur at the catheter insertion site or kidney problems due to contrast.Learn more about the risks of contrast tests.