Coronary aniography is a method frequently used by cardiologists to detect blockages and stenosis in the heart vessels. If necessary during the procedure and if the patient's kidney functions are suitable, angioplasty, that is, vascular opening, is also performed. Inguinal artery (femoral artery) or wrist artery (radial artery). ) Placing a thin tube is the initial procedure of the procedure.
Although inguinal vein angiography is the traditional method used for many years, complications such as bleeding, leg nerve damage, pseudoaneurysm, arterivenous fistula may occur during and after the procedure. After the procedure, patients may experience the most complications. It is necessary to lie down for at least four hours, and ten hours after the angiplasty procedure, which poses a problem especially for elderly patients and patients with back problems.
The groin artery is not the only way to reach the heart, the wrist artery is also a way to reach the heart. It has been used very frequently in recent years. The radial artery is thinner than the femoral artery. Complications such as bleeding and nerve damage are much less. Most importantly, the sheath (thin plastic tube) used during the procedure is removed immediately after the procedure and the patient can stand up immediately. There is no need to lie in bed for a long time.
Is every patient suitable for wrist angiography?
Due to the thinness of the radial artery, it can sometimes be blocked after the procedure. Therefore, the hand is clean. It is necessary to make sure that the ulnar artery, which is the other vessel that provides blood, is open. If angiography and/or angioplasty will be performed via the radial artery, it is necessary to make sure that the ulnar artery is open. For this, your doctor will perform the Allen test. The radial artery is on the thumb side of the wrist, and the ulnar artery is on the small side. It is located on the finger side. In the Allen test, your doctor will ask you to open and close your hand while applying pressure to the radial and ulnar arteries. During this time, your hand will turn pale. When the pressure on the ulnar artery is removed, your hand should turn pink in less than 8 seconds. If it does not turn pink, there is a problem in the ulnar artery and radial angiography is not suitable.
Preparations for angiography performed from the wrist are similar to angiography performed from the groin. Electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood tests, especially kidney function and bleeding tests are required. Before the procedure You must fast for at least 6 hours. A sedative is given before the procedure. After local anesthesia is applied to the radial artery in the wrist, a puncture is made and the tube is placed, the procedure continues. Sometimes very serious spasm (shrinkage) develops in the radial artery; in this case, the procedure continues through the groin vein.
Angiography from the wrist is an alternative to angiography from the groin, especially for patients who have problems lying on their back for a long time due to back problems and who are concerned about bleeding.
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