Angiography in MA at Southcoast Health
You can trust every part of your imaging to our expert radiologists, technologists and physicians at Southcoast Health. We can use an angiogram in Fall River, North Dartmouth, New Bedford or Wareham, MA to determine your optimal diagnosis or treatment options. Learn more about what an angiography is and how we can help you below.
What is Angiography?
Angiography is a common imaging exam. It allows your doctor to take a picture — an angiogram — of your blood vessels to look for abnormal blood flow and other problems.
CT Angiography vs Catheter Angiography
There are two basic types of angiography:
- Non-invasive angiography uses ultrasound, CT or MRI to produce the angiogram. In some cases, you will also have a contrast dye. The type of provider you see for the test will vary depending on why you need it. A technologist usually performs ultrasounds, CTs and MRIs, whereas doctors perform catheter procedures.
- Catheter angiography involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in your groin or elbow. The doctor guides the wire to the area and uses a contrast dye and X-ray to produce the angiogram. The contrast dye makes the blood vessels show up on the X-ray.
When to Go For Angiography?
Your doctor may recommend angiography in Massachusetts or surrounding areas of Rhode Island to diagnose or treat the following:
- Aneurysms, an enlarged or bulging blood vessel
- Aortic disease, such as aortic stenosis or an aortic aneurysm
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- Blood clots
- Blood vessel malformations
- Carotid artery disease, a narrowing of the arteries in your neck
- Coronary artery disease, commonly called heart disease
- Mesenteric artery ischemia, decreased blood flow through the arteries that supply your intestines
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Renal artery stenosis, a narrowing of the arteries that supply your kidneys
- Stroke and TIAs (transient ischemic attacks)
Angiogram Recovery Time
For non-invasive angiography, you can usually go home right after the procedure and resume normal activities. For catheter angiography, you will need to stay for about six hours after the procedure. You will need to keep your arm or leg straight during this time. This helps control bleeding from the catheter incision site. After you go home, you will need to rest for a day or two.
Schedule an Angiogram in Massachusetts
Patients from across the South Coast turn to Southcoast Health for excellence in angiography and other imaging services. To schedule a consultation today, contact us or find a physician practice or other location near you.