Why is an angiography done?

What is angiography?

Angiography is an x-ray study of the blood vessels. An angiogram uses a radiopaque substance, or dye, to make the blood vessels visible under x ray.

Why is an angiography done?

Angiography is used to detect abnormalities or blockages in the blood vessels throughout the circulatory system and in some organs. The procedure is commonly used to identify atherosclerosis; to diagnose heart disease; to evaluate kidney function and detect kidney cysts or tumours; to detect an aneurysm (an abnormal bulge of an artery that can rupture leading to haemorrhage), tumour, blood clot, or arteriovenous malformations in the brain; and to diagnose problems with the retina of the eye. It is also used to give surgeons an accurate ‘map’ of the heart prior to open-heart surgery, or of the brain prior to neurosurgery.

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