What is venous angiography?
Venous angiography is a procedure that uses x-rays to image the veins in your body. During the procedure, a contrast dye is injected into the veins for your doctor to visualize blood flow and identify any abnormalities or blockages.
Venous angiography can be used to diagnose a number of problems with the veins, including:
- Narrowed veins
- Blood clots
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Varicose veins
Venous angiography can also be used to plan surgery to repair or replace blocked or damaged veins.
What symptoms require a venous angiography?
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend Venous Angiography to evaluate the health of your veins:
- Swelling in the legs or ankles
- Chronic leg pain or heaviness
- Visible varicose veins
- Skin discoloration or ulcers on the legs
What should I expect during a venous angiography?
Venous angiography is typically performed under local anesthesia. The doctor will make a small incision in the skin over the vein that you want to image. A needle will then be inserted into the incision and a contrast dye will be injected into the vein.
The contrast dye will make the blood vessels show up on the x-rays. This will allow the doctor to see the size, shape, and condition of the veins.
In some cases, you may need to stay in the hospital for a short time after a venous angiography. This is usually only necessary if you have any complications.
What are risks of a venous angiography?
Venous angiography is a crucial diagnostic tool that helps us pinpoint the cause of venous issues accurately. Based on the results of the procedure, our team will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include:
- Sclerotherapy: For varicose veins, sclerotherapy may be recommended. This involves injecting a solution directly into the affected veins to cause them to collapse and gradually fade.
- Venous Stenting: If a blockage is detected during the Angiography, our interventionalists can perform venous stenting. This procedure involves placing a stent (a small mesh tube) in the narrowed vein to keep it open and improve blood flow.
As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with Venous Angiography. These risks may include allergic reactions to the contrast dye, bleeding or bruising at the catheter insertion site, or damage to the vein.