Angiografía

Angiografía is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the blood vessels of the body. It involves injecting a contrast agent, a special dye that shows up on X-rays, into the bloodstream. This contrast agent travels through the arteries or veins, making them visible on specialized X-ray equipment.

The procedure is typically performed by a radiologist or a vascular surgeon. Before the angiografía, the patient may need to fast and stop certain medications. During the procedure, a small incision is made, usually in the groin or arm, and a catheter, a thin flexible tube, is inserted into a blood vessel. The catheter is then carefully guided to the area of interest. Once in place, the contrast agent is injected through the catheter, and a series of X-ray images are taken. These images create a detailed map of the blood vessels, highlighting any blockages, narrowing, or abnormalities.

Angiografía is used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions affecting blood vessels. These include atherosclerosis, aneurysms, blood clots, and vascular malformations. It can also be used to guide minimally invasive procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting, which are used to open blocked or narrowed arteries. While generally safe, potential risks include bleeding, infection, allergic reaction to the contrast agent, and damage to the blood vessel.