Frequently Asked Questions

What is Angiography?

Angiography is used to check the blockages in blood vessels. The procedure is performed in individuals suffering from health conditions like cerebral, peripheral and cardiovascular diseases. Contrast dye is used to check the blood supply of the organs by injecting it through a catheter inserted in the blood vessels. X-rays are used to produce images of the blood vessels which help the doctor to treat the illness efficiently.

The types of Angiography are:

1. Eye Angiography
2. Cerebral Angiography
3. Magnetic Resonance Angiography
4. Digital Subtraction Angiography
5. Coronary Angiography
6. Pulmonary Angiography
7. Radionuclide Angiography
8. Renal Angiography
9. Right or left heart ventriculography
10. Aortic Angiography

What are the advantages of Angiography?

1. It provides accurate images of the internal blood vessels and arteries.
2. Identify blockages in blood vessels and organs.
3. It helps in determining the right treatment for a particular disease or condition.
4. It helps in diagnosing specific diseases.

What are the indications of Angiography?

Angiography is indicated in the following conditions:

1. Trauma
2. Renovascular disease
3. Maintenance angioplasty
4. Elective embolization
5. Coil embolization
6. Central vascular disease
7. Cerebrovascular disease
8. Mesenteric angina
9. Peripheral vascular disease
10. Transarterial cancer therapy

What is the preparation for Angiography?

1. You may be asked about your present and past medical and medication history.
2. Inform your doctor if you are using any blood thinners or pain killers.
3. Some types of angiography may require fasting. Your doctor will tell you whether to fast or not.
4. You may be advised to drink liquids for breakfast on the day of the procedure.
5. You may be advised to stop eating or drinking before 6 hours of the procedure.
6. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to anesthesia or to any known contrast dye.
7. Discuss all the risks, complications, and benefits associated with the Angiography with your doctor.
8. You will be asked to sign the consent form before undergoing this procedure.

What are the steps involved in Angiography?

Steps involved in Angiography may differ based on the site and technique used. However, the general steps involved in angiogram are

1. You will be asked to change clothes to the hospital gown.
2. After sedation, a catheter is inserted into the artery and is directed slowly through the artery until the tip reaches the vessel that needed to be examined.
3. Then, the contrast dye is injected into the blood vessel to visualize the blood vessels through X-ray images.
4. The catheter will be removed from the artery after taking necessary X-ray images.
5. Your doctor will review the X-ray images to determine the problem.

What is the postprocedure care/recovery care for Angiography?

1. After the completion of the procedure, you may need to stay in the hospital until the sedative wears off.
2. Then, your doctor will provide some instructions regarding post-procedure care.
3. Consult your doctor if you experience pain at the site of catheter insertion. 
4. Pain killers are given by your doctor if the pain is severe.
5. If bleeding is seen at the cut, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
6. There may be some complications and risks after the procedure. So, follow all the instructions and directions provided by your doctor.

Who can perform Angiography [Right specialist type for Angiography]?

Angiography is done by:

1. Experienced Cardiologist
2. Experienced Vascular surgeon who can perform a successful angiography
3. A surgeon with several successful Angiographies

What is the cost of Angiography?

Cost of Angiography depends on factors such as

1. Hospital type
2. The severity of the block of blood vessels
3. Admission costs
4. Post-surgery complications
5. Area of the blood vessels to be evaluated
6. Doctor's fee
7. Type of admission room opted
8. Medical condition/diagnosis of the patient
9. Age of the patient

The minimum cost of Angiography in Pune starts at Rs.6,000

An average cost of Angiography in Pune is approximately Rs.20,000

The maximum cost of Angiography in Pune is up to Rs.40,000

Is Angiography a major procedure or minor procedure?

The procedure can be either major or minor based on the patient's diagnosis.

What is the eligibility criteria for Angiography?

Angiography is recommended to people like :

1. Individuals who are suffering from severe chest pain, heart diseases, etc.
2. People diseases or conditions like severe atherosclerosis, arthritis, etc.
3. Individuals who are willing to check their heart condition after a heart attack.

What is the ineligibility criteria for Angiography?

Angiography is not recommended to individuals like:

1. Individuals who had undergone heart surgery recently.
2. Already diagnosed individuals with heart disease or chest pain.
3. Patients suffering from severe kidney disease.

What are the risks and complications associated with Angiography?

Few risks and complications associated with the Angiography are:

1. Arteries may be injured where the catheter is inserted
2. Allergic reaction to the contrast dye
3. Bleeding and infection at the catheter site
4. Damage to kidneys
5. Irregular heartbeat
6. Heart attack or stroke

How long does it take to complete Angiography?

Angiography can take 1 to 3 hours, depending on the condition of the patient.

What is the recovery time?

It may take about 3-6 hours to recover from Angiography after the catheter is removed from the blood vessels and the patient may be discharged on the same day from the hospital. 

What is the success rate of Angiography?

The chances of success of Angiography is 97 % and may be based on factors like 

1. Experience of the doctor in performing Angiography
2. Age of the patient
3. The medical condition of an individual

Is Angiography painful?

You won't be experiencing pain during the process as anesthesia will be given by the doctor before the insertion of the catheter. The individual may experience a certain level of pain or discomfort at the site of catheter insertion as the sedative wears off.

Is Angiography Permanent?

The catheter is withdrawn from the body after evaluating the blood vessels as Angiography is not a  permanent procedure.

What are the long-term results of Angiography?

Angiography is an evaluation procedure and is useful for the doctor to provide long-term treatment plans for the patient after diagnosis.

Can Angiography be detected in the future?

Angiography will not be detected in the future as the contrast dye is more likely to be excreted by the body in 30 minutes to 2 hours.

What are the options if Angiography fails or not successful?

Angiography is a safe procedure to evaluate any blockages in the blood vessels which supply blood to the vital organs like the brain, kidneys, heart, and lungs. The doctor may use alternative techniques for visualizing the organs.

What are the alternatives for Angiography?

Few alternatives for Angiograms/Angiographies are

1. CT-scan
2. X-ray
3. Doppler ultrasound
4. MRI-scan