Angiography is an X-ray exam of the arteries and veins to diagnose blockages and other blood vessel problems. An interventional radiologist performs this X-ray procedure, which is also called an angiogram. One of the most common reasons for angiograms is to see if there is a blockage or narrowing in a blood vessel that may interfere with the normal flow of blood through the body. In many cases, the interventional radiologist can treat a blocked blood vessel without surgery at the same time the angiogram is performed.
Interventional radiologists treat blockages with techniques called angioplasty and thrombolysis .
Angiograms are sometimes used by surgeons to plan an operation or choose the best surgical procedure. In many cases, interventional radiologists can open blocked or narrowed blood vessels caused by peripheral arterial disease or other conditions. For example, in some patients, high blood pressure is caused by blockage to the artery to the kidney, a condition known as renal vascular hypertension. Interventional radiologists can often treat blocked blood vessals without surgery. In most cases, hospitalization and general anesthesia are not required.