Angiography of cerebral vessels: an effective method

Often patients fear angiography. However, in the performance of a good doctor and under all conditions, angiography is a safe procedure that allows the treating doctor to obtain the necessary information about the state of the vessels of the head and neck. The latter are usually examined together with the first, because often violations are detected at the neck level, and not the head.

Angiography of the vessels of the brain and neck is a photographing by means of X-rays of the corresponding areas of the body. Of course, the vessels themselves are not visible on the X-ray image - it is necessary to introduce into them a special substance that will trap the rays. It is called radiopaque. Usually these are iodine compounds.

This substance is injected through the femoral or brachial vein by means of a special catheter. It sounds scary, but it's not as painful as it seems. Iodine compounds spread through the veins of the neck and head, and it is seen in the pictures how the various regions of the brain of the patient being examined are supplied with blood.

What will help to clarify the angiography of the vessels of the brain and neck?

First, narrowing or even closing the vessels of the neck, which carry blood to the brain. Such a condition can lead to a stroke or a temporary disruption in the supply of blood to the brain.

Secondly, to identify whether there are related symptoms like severe headache, speech disorders, memory impairment, dizziness, double vision and loss of coordination of movements. As a rule, the answer to this question is positive, and the doctor can take steps to send the patient to the appropriate procedures in time and prescribe medications to him.

Thirdly, in the vessels of the brain there can be an expansion - an aneurysm, which can burst and cause death. Angiography of the brain will allow the doctor to see this and make a timely decision about the treatment.

Fourth, with a brain tumor, you can identify in which directions metastases could come from it, which is very important in the treatment of malignant neoplasms.

What should I tell my doctor if he is considering the possibility of angiography?

• That you are pregnant or are about to have a baby.
• About breastfeeding (with two days to feed the child only with the mixture until the iodine compounds leave your body).
• About an allergy to a contrast substance - usually a person knows about it, if not the first time used angiography for his examination. In general, if there was a strong allergic reaction to any substance, be it peanut butter or a bee sting, the doctor should know about it.
• About the presence of asthma (any form of it).
• About problems with blood coagulability. Or if you regularly take drugs that affect it. It is better just to tell the doctor about any medications you take constantly - and he will draw conclusions.
• About kidney diseases. Contrast substance can damage the kidneys of a person if they have or have problems with them. So talk about any kidney diseases that you either had.
• About diabetes of any form. Especially if you were taking metformin (glucofage) to keep diabetes under control. The fact is that with diabetes, any injuries do not heal very well.

Just before the procedure, you need to stop drinking and eat for four to eight hours. If you regularly take aspirin, you need for a day to stop drinking it. If you still after inattentiveness drank it, consult a doctor.

Angiography of cerebral vessels can last more than a few hours, so you need to visit the restroom just before it starts.

Do not be afraid of the introduction of radiopaque substance, It is administered under local anesthesia, and therefore it will not hurt. Your pelvic region will be covered with a lead belt, so as not to irradiate the genitals.

Angiography of cerebral vessels is safe and effective nowadays. So trust your doctor.