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An angiogram or angiography is a special procedure that injects a dye into the arteries in order to track blood flow in the arteries by using X-rays to capture the route the dye takes along with blood. While most often associated with the arteries of the heart, an angiogram can be used to detect blockages and other abnormalities in the arteries of the heart, lungs, as well as the brain.

A coronary angiogram is an angiogram done to detect blockages and other malfunctions in the arteries that carry blood to the heart, whereas a cerebral angiogram detects abnormalities in the arteries that carry blood to the brain.

A pulmonary angiography helps detect the flow of blood in arteries that carry blood to the lungs.

In this article, we will discuss the risks of cerebral and coronary angiograms.

Risks of Angiogram

According to most doctors, the risks of an angiogram procedure are much lower when compared with the benefits that this procedure offers.

However, let us consider the possible side effects of angiogram.

Some of the common risks associated with angiograms are listed below.

• Exposure to radiation: As angiograms use X-rays to capture the location of the blood or any blockages, it is risky in pregnancy and in young children. Also, excessive exposure to X-ray radiation can lead to cancer.
• Allergic reaction to the dye used: Allergic reactions associated with the use of the dye in angiography are not common. However, some of the common signs of an allergic reaction are nausea, vomiting, hives and light headedness.
• Embolism: A blood clot forms at the site of the injection and travels towards another part of the body.
• Hematoma: A condition where blood collects at the site of the injection, forming a bruise.
• Excessive bleeding at the site of injection
• Swelling and infection at the site of injection
• Damage to the blood vessels at the site of injection

Risks of Coronary Angiogram

Apart from all the other risks of an angiogram, coronary angiogram can lead to other problems such as:

• Irregular heart beats
• Heart attack
• Kidney damage
• Low blood pressure
• Pericardial fluid accumulation; the pericardium is the layer that surrounds the heart.

Risks of Cerebral Angiogram

Listed below are some of the complications associated with cerebral angiogram:

• Stroke
• Neurological complications
• In some cases, even death

Certain conditions such as increased age, diabetes and kidney disease make this procedure that much more risky. While there are complications with both cerebral as well as coronary angiograms, the complications are usually rare and nothing to be anxious about.

References

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003876.htm
• http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ca/risks.html
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003799.htm
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17517935