Angiogram Specialist
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Cardiac & Vascular Interventions of New Jersey
Interventional Vascular Specialists located in New Brunswick, NJ
Symptoms of low blood flow could be signs of heart or vascular disease. If you need prompt assessment and treatment, board-certified specialist Ramzan Zakir, MD, of Cardiac & Vascular Interventions of New Jersey, uses state-of-the-art techniques to perform angiograms. At his practice in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Dr. Zakir can isolate the underlying cause of poor circulation and, in many cases, treat the problem during your angiogram. Call the office to arrange a consultation or book an appointment today.
Angiogram Q & A
What is an angiogram?
Angiograms are procedures that assess the health of your arteries. Dr. Zakir can also treat some conditions while performing an angiogram.
Angiograms use X-ray technology to locate and evaluate blockages in your arteries – the large blood vessels that take blood rich with oxygen from your heart around your body. The procedure involves having a contrast injected into your arteries that shows up clearly on the fluoroscopy images.
Dr. Zakir determines the best treatment for your condition after reviewing your diagnostic testing.
Why would I need an angiogram?
Dr. Zakir might recommend you have an angiogram if you're experiencing symptoms of atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries). Atherosclerosis is a common vascular disease where a sticky layer of fat and waste products called plaque builds up inside your arteries.
High cholesterol levels in your blood are the leading cause, often due to being overweight or obese, lack of exercise, and a high-fat diet.
However, anyone could develop atherosclerosis and, consequently, problems like coronary artery disease (CAD), carotid artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Angiograms are one of the most accurate ways of assessing arterial blockages, as well as providing an opportunity to treat the cause at the same time.
What happens during an angiogram?
You have a sedative to relax you and make you feel sleepy, and a local anesthetic to numb the injection site.
Dr. Zakir inserts a needle into an artery (typically the femoral artery in your groin) and threads tiny tubes called catheters into the access point. Catheters can follow the path of your arterial system along any of your arteries and also into your heart.
The next step is injecting the dye and taking the X-rays. Dr. Zakir examines the results to see how well it flows through your arteries and locate any blockages. If your condition requires treatment to improve blood flow, Dr. Zakir can carry it out immediately.
What treatment might I need during an angiogram?
One of the many treatments you might need during an angiogram is balloon angioplasty. An angioplasty inflates a special medical balloon in the area where there's a blockage to flatten plaque on the artery walls. Dr. Zakir can also insert a stent – a mesh tube – into the artery to ensure it stays open.
Dr. Zakir uses fluoroscopy (moving X-ray) technology to view the arteries and insert the catheter, balloon, and stent. Fluoroscopy ensures precise placement and avoids the risk of arterial damage.
If you have symptoms of low blood flow, Dr. Zakir can determine the cause and often treat it using angiograms. To take advantage of his expertise, call Cardiac & Vascular Interventions of New Jersey or book an appointment online today.