Our ServicesArteriography

Arteriography
The arterial system is an integral part of the circulatory system. Arterial problem is the underlying cause of many disease processes. Diseases of arteries include vascular malformation, atherosclerosis, stenosis or occlusion of vessels, bleeding from the GI tract, brain haemorrhage, coronary artery disease etc.

Indication
Arteriography is a special examination. It can be done for
- Diagnosis of vascular disorders
- Interventional radiology procedures like
     • To open up narrowed arteries e.g. in kidneys
     • To occlude vascular malformation of brain
     • To provide trans-arterial chemo/radiotherapy
In some cases, arteriography is done pre-operatively so that surgeons could plan their operation. That will reduce pain and chance of bleeding during the operation.

Patient Preparation
(Patient needs to be admitted for preparation whichincludes)
1.Your referring doctor will ask you to sign a consent form for this investigation.
2. You should volunteer information to your doctor on history of allergy to food and drugs, history of asthma, urtricaria, eczema and allergy to contrast medium.
3. You will be checked for any bleeding tendency.
4. You need to fast for 4 to 6 hours before the examination.
5. There is skin preparation of the puncture site.

Procedure
The examination involves percutaneous introduction of an angiocatheter to a relevant vessel. Local anaesthetic is given prior to the puncture. The angiocatheter is usually introduced via the right femoral artery at the groin. Other sites however may be used. e.g. a brachial approach if both femoral pulses are absent. A thin catheter is then introduced through the use of a needle and guide wire. When the angiocatheter reaches the target vessel, a suitable contrast is then injected and a number of X-Ray images are recorded. You are advised to listen carefully to the instruction given by our staff. Sedation or general anaesthesia is usually used for paediatric patient. The examination might take two or more hours to finish.

After the removal of catheter, the radiologist may need to press the puncture site for about 15 minutes to stop bleeding.

Overall complications are rare. After the procedure, you will still be under observation in the ward. You should inform the attending doctor or nurse as soon as possible in case of any problem.