Angiogram is a medical procedure and diagnostic test used to visualize and analyze the blood vessels in the body, particularly the arteries and veins. It involves the injection of a contrast dye into the blood vessels, followed by X-ray imaging to capture detailed images of the blood vessels' structure and functioning.
During an angiogram, a small incision is made in a specific area of the body, typically in the arm or groin. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is then inserted into the incision and guided through the blood vessels to the area being studied. Once in place, a contrast dye is injected through the catheter, which flows through the blood vessels, making them visible on X-ray images. This helps identify any abnormalities, blockages, or narrowing of the blood vessels.
This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose and evaluate conditions such as arterial blockage, aneurysms, atherosclerosis, or abnormalities in blood vessel walls. It provides vital information about blood flow, vessel size, and overall vascular health. Angiograms can be performed on various areas of the body, including the heart (coronary angiogram), brain (cerebral angiogram), or legs (peripheral angiogram), depending on the suspected location of the problem.
Angiograms can be conducted as both invasive and non-invasive procedures. Advances in medical technology have led to the development of less invasive alternatives, such as computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which use imaging techniques other than X-rays to produce detailed images of the blood vessels.
