Angiogram of mesenteric vessels
Common Questions and Answers about Angiogram of mesenteric vessels
angiogram
It is fast becoming the radiological test of choice to look at disease of blood vessels. The next generation of a ct scan will reduce the individual's radiation exposure.
The ct angiogram involves an assessment of the body of the vessels as well as the lumen. The cath angiogram exams the lumen for hard plaque and any blockage, but the ct angiogram also exams for soft plaque within the body of the vessel.
Today we found out he has a potential 70% or more blockage of his mesenteric arteries in his abdomen. He is on oxygen and very weak. He is in a lot of pain. If he would need surgery to repair this mesenteric blockage would he survive? I am concerned!! Thank you in advance for any thoughts.
A diagnosis really can not be made unless certain angiographic findings are demonstrated
It has been proposed that BACNS represents a form of reversible vasoconstriction or spasm (spasm of the muscles in the blood vessels of the brain, leading to their narrowing) rather than true arteritis (inflammation of the artery). On angiogram, the blood vessels are seen to be narrowed and in spasm.
Have you had an ultrasound of the mesenteric arterys yet? How about an 3d angiogram? Ask for one if you can. Ask for both tests. Lyne 0123, don't give up. I am getting scheduled for surgery soon to aleviate my stomach troubles, and I live in the southwest, I had to travel to Cleveland Ohio, and I am going to Chicago for the surgery. Do your homework. Research...If there's anything I can do Please let me know. I'm here for you.
The heart is supplied by oxygen rich blood through three coronary arteries (vessels).
Your father's coronary angiogram shows that all three vessels are diseased (tVCAD= triple vessel Coronary Artery Disease).
This means that in all three vessels there is evidence of blockages.
Blockages can be mild or severe or even complete, so the fact that your father has tVCAD dooes not say much about the severity of the disease.
That he does not feel well could mean that it is serious though.
Cardiologists have to limit the number of patients having a nuclear scan but those that do have already had an angiogram. With the results of the scan, it can be seen if an area is short of blood supply but it doesn't show why. It could be tiny vessels, it could be larger vessels. This is where the angiogram comes into play and should give obvious reasons to the cardiologist. But at least he knows where to look. Just my personal opinion.
If there are blockages, a stent implant (usually done at time of angiogram) will increase the diameter of the occlusion/occlusions permitting more blood to the deficit area. Sometimes the area of blockage can not be stented because of location, tortuous segment, too long, etc...then a bypass surgical operation may be the only remedy.
Alternatively, some people find relief from chest pain with medication.
CT 64 slice scan angiogram will include the anatomy of the vessels, chest, and aorta vessel (ascending, arch and descending). The scan will show any layers of soft plaque outside the lumen, and it is the soft plaque that has a higher risk of rupturing, clotting and causing an MI. The scan and stress test are about equal in determing the plaque within the lumen that may cause ischemia (blocked, partially blocked vessels.
The scan has images of the vessel anatomy and thqt includes the area between the inner lining of the vessels and the outer layer. Soft plaque can buildup in that area and rupture through to the lumen causing a clot that can be dislodged and cause a heart attack.
The cath angiogram only has images of the lumen, and the plaque that develops there causes ischemia (lack of blood flow) and angina (chest pain).
An ekg is not a very good source to dx CAD (occluded vessels), too may false positives, but a follow through with more testing if symptomatic, etc. To go from an ekg to angiogram seems unnecessary based on the information posted. A stress test is a less invasive procedure, and usually shows any occluded vessels. Why is that test avoided?
An angiogram can be with a cath (invasive...
The CT scan indicates there is substanital soft plaque buildup within the linings of the vessels. A couple of years ago, my total CT score was/is over 1000 and that is supposed to indicate a high probability for a heart event within a year....waiting for the other shoe to drop!...no problems, feel fine.
A cath angiogram does not show the risk, but a CT scan 64 slice can/will evaluate the anatomy of vessels for the risk of a heart attack from that source (many more attacks from rupture than occluded vessels).
I am assuming the MI is ischemic (lack of blood flow to the heart). It is estimated about 26% of the heart disorder population have had a silent heart attack and are unaware. I had had a silent heart attack about 5 years ago, and the first symptom was congested heart failure.
I had an angiogram in 2008 for the same purpose, but this can only pick up vessels with a blood flow. I had 2 totally collapsed grafted veins which the angiogram couldn't find. After trying to follow the surgeons notes from my surgery as to the locations, he finally gave up.
I then had a CT scan where dye was injected slowly through my arm. The images produced from this scanner were mind blowing.
I have had a ct scan angiogram and cath. My ct scan was more inclusive as it took images of the lungs, heart and thorax. It showed the complete anatomy of the heart vessels that included any soft plaque within the lining of the vessel. The ct software scored the soft plaque and evaluated the risk of a rupture. It also discloses any hard plaque within the lumen (vessel channel).
The cath views the lumen for plaque, and has the ability to determine gradient pressures of chambers and vessels..
I have to agree with Ed on this one. The symptoms he is describing are indusive of heart disease and the angiogram is a better look at the arteries from the inside. With carotid arteries becoming blocked there is more dizziness, visual disturbances and confusion. Like the symptoms of a stroke. Is there any particular reason the doctors are treating this as Lymes Disease?
Magnetic resonance angiogram evaluates the blood vessels supplying a structure, more commonly requested to evaluate the blood supply of the brain. If it says no significant abnormalities, then it says that there's nothing wrong with the blood supply (no aneurysms, malformations, etc.). However, the gold standard in evaluating the blood supply of the brain is through 4 vessel angiogram which is an invasive procedure.
The idea is to inject a dye in the coronary vessels and see the vessels using X-ray. It will detect any degree of narrowing inside the blood vessels.
In your condition, it is really advisable to have this angiogram, especially if your ECG results were abnormal or non convincing. You have a chest pain and mild diastolic dysfunction. These two factors should raise the suspicion of any abnormality in one of the blood vessels.
The larger coronary arteries do not directly feed your heart, they break down into smaller and smaller vessels untl they are the narrower than the width of a hair, and then they feed oxygen to the heart. Imagine the roots of a plant. The large roots are your main coronary arteries which feed all the smaller roots hanging from it. When you get to the tiniest roots, these are feeding your heart. So, the angiogram may not be seeing problems that could be occurring in the smaller vessels.
This is an interesting thread. I tried to avoid stents and medications for several years after my first 70% blockage was diagnosed, and lost a lot of weight, reduced my stress level, exercised daily and went on a tight low cholesterol diet. Like Kenkeith alluded to, I'm one of those persons who simply can't get the small vessels to carry the load and grow, and the medications and stents became absoutely necessary.
Yes an Angiogram can reveal things which aThallium can't, but it is also true the other way around, a Thallium can reveal things which an Angiogram cannot. Both are simply looking at different things but can work well together to see more information. As we all know, An Angiogram simply looks at blood flow, whereas a Thallium test looks at Oxygen delivery (Perfusion). A classic example could be a patient with strong Angina who has a Thallium scan, which shows good results.
An angiogram is a procedure that images a contrast agent that passes through the vessels during rest and then with exertion to observe if there is any obstruction. There shouldn't be any risk with a CT scan, and if the procedure is with a cath the risk may be a problem at the entery site (groan) as a diabetic may have some difficuty with the healing process other risks are minimal i.e. rupture, uncontrolled bleeding, etc. Doctors are quickly available if there is a problem.
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