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Type
Area to Be Evaluated
Uses
Coronary angiography Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Angiography Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography are minimally invasive methods of studying the heart and the blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) without doing surgery. These... read more
Blood vessels of the heart
With cardiac catheterization Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Angiography Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography are minimally invasive methods of studying the heart and the blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) without doing surgery. These... read more , the heart itself
To diagnose coronary artery disease Overview of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. The heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The coronary... read more and other heart disorders
To determine whether angioplasty Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. The heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The coronary... read more or coronary artery bypass surgery Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. The heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The coronary... read more is feasible
To determine the severity of a heart disorder
To identify the cause of chest pain, shortness of breath, or certain other symptoms
To clarify the specific structure of a person’s heart before heart valve replacement surgery
Aortography
Aorta
To check for the following:
Bulges in a weakened wall ( aneurysms Overview of Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissection The aorta, which is about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter, is the largest artery of the body. It receives oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle of the heart and distributes it to all... read more )
Tears in the lining ( dissection Aortic Dissection An aortic dissection is an often fatal disorder in which the inner layer (lining) of the aortic wall tears and separates from the middle layer of the aortic wall. Most aortic dissections occur... read more )
Leakage of the valve between the aorta and left ventricle ( aortic regurgitation Aortic Regurgitation Aortic regurgitation is leakage of blood back through the aortic valve each time the left ventricle relaxes. Aortic regurgitation is due to deterioration of the aortic valve and the surrounding... read more )
Cerebral angiography
Blood vessels of the brain
Narrowed or blocked blood vessels (which can cause an ischemic stroke Ischemic Stroke An ischemic stroke is death of an area of brain tissue (cerebral infarction) resulting from an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain due to blockage of an artery. Ischemic stroke... read more )
Aneurysms Aneurysms of Arteries in the Arms, Legs, and Heart An aneurysm is a bulge (dilation) in the wall of an artery. (See also Aortic Branch Aneurysms and Brain Aneurysms.) Aneurysms may occur in any artery. Aneurysms are most common in the aorta... read more
Abnormal connections between arteries and veins ( arteriovenous malformations in the brain Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) An arteriovenous malformation is a tangle of dilated blood vessels that directly connect arteries and veins, bypassing the capillaries (which normally connect arteries and veins). Brain arteriovenous... read more )
Inflammation of blood vessels ( vasculitis Overview of Vasculitis Vasculitic disorders are caused by inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Vasculitis can be triggered by certain infections or drugs or can occur for unknown reasons. People may have... read more )
Fluorescein angiography Angiography A variety of tests can be done to confirm an eye problem or to determine the extent or severity of an eye disorder. Each eye is tested separately. In general, angiography involves injecting... read more
Blood vessels of the eye
To evaluate damage to the retina due to diabetes ( diabetic retinopathy Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina (the transparent, light-sensitive structure at the back of the eye) as a result of diabetes. Blood vessels in the retina can leak blood and fluid... read more ) or macular degeneration Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD or ARMD) Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes progressive damage to the macula, the central and most vital area of the retina, resulting in gradual loss of central vision. Central vision becomes... read more
To evaluate the retina before laser therapy
Peripheral arteriography
Arteries of the arms, legs, and trunk, except the aorta and arteries of the heart
Narrowing or blockages ( occlusive peripheral arterial disease Occlusive Peripheral Arterial Disease Occlusive peripheral arterial disease is blockage or narrowing of an artery in the legs (or rarely the arms), usually due to atherosclerosis and resulting in decreased blood flow. Symptoms depend... read more )
Abnormal channels between an artery and a vein (arteriovenous fistulas)
Abnormal connections between arteries and veins (arteriovenous malformations)
Pulmonary angiography*
Blood vessels of the lungs
To diagnose pulmonary embolism Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Pulmonary embolism is the blocking of an artery of the lung (pulmonary artery) by a collection of solid material brought through the bloodstream (embolus)—usually a blood clot (thrombus) or... read more (blockage by blood clots in the pulmonary arteries, which lead from the heart to the lungs) and identify abnormalities of pulmonary arteries and veins
* CT pulmonary angiography CT angiography Computed tomography (CT) is a type of medical imaging that combines a series of x-rays to create cross-sectional, detailed images of internal structures. In computed tomography (CT), which used... read more has largely replaced conventional pulmonary angiography because it is less invasive.
CT = computed tomography.
