Angiography – Coronary, Cerebral and Fluorescein

The process of imaging of the blood vessels by x-ray readings, catheters, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging – MRI is called angiography. The imaging technique for body organs gives out the results in the form of angiogram. Traditionally, a radiopaque essence or dye is applied to compose the blood vessels visible under x-ray. Etymologically, the Greek roots ‘angeion’ meaning vessel and ‘graphein’ meaning to record, make up the word angiography – the vessel to record the electrical activity of the heart. It is also known as arteriography, as it focuses mainly on arteries, veins and heart chambers. Portuguese physician and neurologist Egas Moniz was the pioneer of this technique in 1927. There are varieties of angiographies and the one related to brain - cerebrum is known as cerebral angiography while the heart and arteries related is called coronary angiography.

Arteries carry oxygen to the heart and a steady supply is necessary else it puts the life at risk. At some point, plaque starts to build up in the arteries, comprising of fats and cholesterol. It accumulates on the inside of the arterial wall narrowing the passage through which the blood flows and restricts it. When the passage way shrinks too far and the build up becomes too large, it may result in a hear attack. In such cases, coronary angiography is performed to check the blockage in the arteries.

Coronary angiography (CA) is performed by inserting a catheter in the artery and injecting a special dye in the bloodstream to see its flow with the help of an x-ray. This is the most efficient method to check for CHD-Coronary Heart Disease or CAD-Coronary Artery Disease.

Celebral angiography is performed to visualize the medical images of the blood vessels surrounding the brain helping in detection of abnormalities. In the angiography test, if the contrast dye is seen to be flowing out of the blood vessel, it may be a sign of internal bleeding. Narrow arteries imply fat or cholesterol deposits, inherited disorders or a spasm. There may also be abnormalities like brain tumors, bleeding within the skull, arteriovenous malfunctions or aneurysm (bulging of artery walls) resulting in out of place blood vessels.

With the heart and brain test, there is also an angiography for the eyes, known as fluorescein angiography. It is an eye test which uses special dye and camera to visualize the blood flow in the retina and choroid, the two layers in the back of the eye. An abnormal angiography result may be due to cancer, diabetic or other retinopathy, macular degeneration, swelling of the optic disc, retinal detachment or retinitis pigmentosa.

Angiography is one of the best medical methods to quickly detect arterial blockages. The procedure is nearly always simple, painless, and trouble-free.

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