Therapeutic Procedures

Angioplasty, Stenting, Embolisation :

Angioplasty is a procedure in which blocked blood vessels are opened up using catheters; so is stenting. Embolisation is the opposite – here abnormal or leaking blood vessels are closed with substances introduced through catheters. These and similar procedures where diseases of blood vessels and other organs are treated is known as interventional radiology and are generally performed as an alternative to surgery or in some cases as the only form of treatment where no surgery is possible. These are procedures, which are similar to an angiogram in most respects. The main difference is – whereas an angiogram is used to diagnose blood vessel disease, angioplasty and embolisation are used to treat diseases of blood vessels or the organ that these blood vessels supply ( brain, kidney, liver etc. ). The procedure of cathetarisation for angioplasty, stenting and embolisation is similar to that of angiography. However depending upon the specific area being treated and the specific condition for which the procedure is done, there will be variation in the technique, procedure time and complications. As the indications and the scope of these procedures is very vast; it is very difficult to generalize.