Angiography is an X-ray procedure that takes pictures of your blood vessels. A catheter is inserted into a large vessel, usually in the groin. Another site is sometimes selected, such as the arm, but a radiologist will discuss this with you prior to the procedure.

Interventional radiology procedures include such studies as arteriograms, venograms, biopsies and placement of certain drainage tubes. They usually involve injection of contrast agents into the patient's arteries, veins or organ ductal systems to demonstrate disease processes.

As with any contrast material, it is important that the technologist or physician is aware of any allergies that you may have. This procedure employs fluoroscopy, so there are real-time moving pictures on which the radiologist can observe the flow of the contrast material in the vessel.

This enables the radiologist to see any abnormalities in those vessels. Occasionally, a blockage can be repaired through the catheter while having the study done. Many of these studies can be done on an outpatient basis through the short stay unit.

Studies/procedures

• Full range of diagnostic angiography
• Peripheral vascular balloon angioplasty
• Peripheral vascular stent placement
• Stenting procedures
• Hepatic angiography
• Thrombolytic therapy
• TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt)
• Drainage procedures
• Dialysis and venous access procedures
• Imaging guided biopsies including transjugular biopsies
• Chemoembolization
• CO2 Angiography
• Pulmonary embolectomy
• Vascular embolization
• Varicose vein treatment
• Fibroid treatment