Angiography

Angiography is a highly informative X-ray examination of blood vessels. It provides clear visualization of arteries and veins by introducing a contrast agent into them through a catheter and simultaneously performing fluoroscopy. The study allows you to identify areas of narrowing, blockage or dilation of vessels, as well as assess blood flow.

Today, angiography is the most accurate method of diagnosing vascular diseases. It is prescribed when other examinations do not allow you to establish an accurate diagnosis and choose the optimal treatment method.

At Oxford Medical, angiography is performed by vascular surgeons with many years of experience. They have undergone training and internships with the best Ukrainian and foreign specialists. Thanks to this, as well as the use of expert-class equipment, each patient can be confident in the high safety and informativeness of the study.

During the initial diagnosis, patients are prescribed magnetic resonance or computed tomography angiography. Invasive angiography is required when other examinations are not sufficiently informative.

In particular, angiography of the lower extremities is performed:

• before angioplasty – the study is the first stage of the operation;

• a day after thrombolysis to check whether blood flow has improved;

• to clarify the diagnosis, determine the severity of the disease and choose the optimal treatment method.

Angiography of the legs may be necessary for deep vein thrombosis, stenosis (narrowing) or occlusion (blockage) of the arteries, critical ischemia of the lower extremities, diabetic angiopathy and some other pathologies.

Also, if there are appropriate indications, angiography of the carotid arteries, coronary and others is performed.

Before angiography, the patient undergoes a comprehensive examination. It may include:

• Doppler ultrasound of the vessels;
• cardiogram (ECG);
• blood tests and other examinations as indicated.

Consultation with an anesthesiologist may also be required, and in the presence of chronic diseases - with doctors of narrow specialties.

It is imperative to consult a vascular surgeon regarding the intake of medications. It may be necessary to temporarily cancel some medications or adjust the prescriptions.

At least 2-3 days before the study, you should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Food intake is stopped 8 hours in advance, and water - 1-2 hours in advance. Most often, angiography is performed on an empty stomach in the morning.

Since angiography is an invasive study, it is performed in a hospital setting. Local anesthesia is most often used to numb the incision and puncture site of the vessel. Thus, the patient remains conscious, but does not feel pain or discomfort. If angioplasty is planned after angiography, general anesthesia may be used. The choice of anesthesia method depends on the patient's health and the complexity of the subsequent procedure.

Stages of angiography:

• The surgeon makes a small incision, then punctures the vessel and inserts a thin flexible tube (catheter).
• Under X-ray control, a catheter is passed through the vessel to the site that needs to be examined.
• After that, a contrast agent is injected through the catheter, which improves the visualization of the vessels and blood flow, and fluoroscopy is performed.
• Then, if necessary, angioplasty is performed immediately.
• After the procedure is completed, the catheter is removed, and a tight bandage is applied to the puncture site.

After angiography, the patient is given a tight bandage to prevent bleeding and the development of a hematoma. Bed rest is recommended for 12 to 18 hours. Usually, 1 day is required in the hospital. If the patient also undergoes thrombolysis or angioplasty, the average hospitalization period is 3 days.

For 2 weeks after angiography, it is recommended to avoid heavy physical exertion, not to visit the pool, sauna or bathhouse, and to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Each patient a vascular surgeon gives individual instructions that must be followed.

You can find out the price of invasive angiography and vascular surgery here. It should be noted that the total cost may vary depending on the type and duration of anesthesia, the length of hospitalization, the need for further angioplasty, and other individual characteristics of the patient.

Make an appointment with a vascular surgeon at a time convenient for you. The specialist will conduct an examination, study the medical history, symptoms, and examination results, then draw up a treatment plan and provide more accurate information about the price.

At «Oxford Medical», angiography is performed in a high-tech surgical hospital. The study uses an expert-class angiograph, which provides maximum image quality and helps diagnose the smallest pathological changes.

The high professionalism of vascular surgeons and the availability of appropriate equipment allow angioplasty to be performed immediately after angiography - this is an endovascular operation, during which the lumen of the vessel is expanded, which helps normalize blood flow.