Angiography
From Ganfyd
An investigation of the blood vessels. Traditionally, the approach was to introduce a catheter directly into the blood vessels of interest, usually by a percutaneous route into easily accessible vessels. However, where the interest is mainly diagnostic (as opposed to therapeutic), less invasive methods have been developed using CT and MRI technology. In addition, digital subtraction is often used to removed the distraction of structures not relevant to the image. Angiography can also part of the inserting cardiac pacemakers leads.
CT angiography
Modern multislice CT now permits rapid acquisition of data and reconstruction of images in several planes, including 3-dimensional rendering.
- Pulmonary angiography
- CT pulmonary angiograms have replaced traditional pulmonary angiography. CTPA is regarded as less sensitive for sub-segmental emboli.
- Coronary angiography
- Mesenteric angiography
- Angiography for peripheral vascular disease
MR angiography
Fluorescein angiography
A small amount of fluorescein is injected intravenously. Pictures of the retina are then taken using blue light, which causes allows imaging of the retinal vessels due to fluorescence of the flourescein.
