Zoa-Pedia Word/Phrase

Angiography

Angiography is a medical imaging technique in which an X-ray image is taken to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins and the heart chambers.

click to enlarge Depending on the type of angiogram, access to the blood vessels is gained most commonly through the femoral artery, to look at the left side of the heart and the arterial system or the jugular or femoral vein, to look at the right side of the heart and the venous system. Due to the advancement in medical imaging, it is now possible to perform almost all Angiograms through a CT scanner. This is better for the patient as it is less invasive with fewer associated risks, although it may often involve a greater radiation dose. It also is a purely diagnostic technique, and so procedures such as balloon angioplasty are still carried out under standard angiography control.

Related Topics:   imaging, blood vessels