Angiographie

Angiography, sometimes called angiographie in French, is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the lumen of blood vessels and the heart chambers by injecting a radiopaque contrast agent and capturing images with X-ray, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It enables detailed assessment of vascular anatomy and flow.

There are several approaches. Invasive catheter-based X-ray angiography, often performed with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), provides high-resolution images of arteries and veins and is commonly used in interventional radiology. CT angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA) are noninvasive or minimally invasive alternatives that visualize vessels with CT or MRI, respectively, sometimes offering three-dimensional reconstructions.

Indications include evaluation of arterial stenosis or occlusion, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and vascular anomalies; assessment before surgical or endovascular procedures; and planning of interventions such as angioplasty or stent placement. Coronary angiography is used to assess the coronary arteries in patients with suspected ischemic heart disease. The choice of modality depends on clinical questions, patient factors, and the required level of detail.

Procedure and risks. In catheter-based angiography, a catheter is inserted through an artery (commonly the femoral or radial artery) and contrast is injected while images are acquired. Noninvasive modalities use circulating contrast with CT or MR imaging. Risks are generally low but can include allergic reactions to contrast, nephrotoxicity, radiation exposure, vascular injury, or infection.

Interventional angiography applies therapeutic techniques such as angioplasty, stenting, or embolization during the same procedure when appropriate. The development of angiography spans from early cerebral angiography in the 1920s to modern CTA and MRA in the late 20th century, with ongoing advances in image quality and safety.