Diagnostic Cerebral Catheter Angiography

Diagnostic angiography, also called digital subtraction angiography (DSA), is a minimally invasive imaging method used to visualize and assess the vascular anatomy of a specific organ or area. It has a very high resolution and can provide valuable information for choosing the best therapy. Our clinic uses it to exmine the vessels of the brain, head and spine.

Overview

The most common indications for a DSA are:

  • investigating a suspected cerebral or spinal vascular disease (e.g., aneurysms, vascular malformations, fistulas, tumors, etc.)
  • preoperative planning
  • postoperative check to evaluate the surgical result

DSA is often not the first step when investigating vascular diseases, but it is nonetheless an essential one. Often, the method is indispensable for reliably detecting or excluding a diagnosis.

At the USZ, we perform angiography mostly on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

  • Angiography is usually essential for the diagnosis of neurovascular diseases and for surgical planning and control.
  • DSA produces high-resolution images and provides information that cannot currently be obtained with non-invasive methods.

Disadvantages

  • DSA is an invasive method and is therefore associated with certain risks. However, modern technology can minimize those.

Course of treatment

We usually perform angiography on an outpatient basis. As a patient, you must fast for at least four hours before the examination. This means that you are not allowed to eat any solid food and you can drink only small amounts of clear liquids. However, you can continue taking any medication which you require for unrelated health problems unless there is a special risk associated with them.

The procedure is minimally invasive and and IS performed under local anesthesia. First we puncture the femoral artery (thigh artery) in the groin region. Then we image the blood vessels by inserting a tiny catheter and injecting contrast medium. The latter may cause a warm or hot sensation. After the angiography is completed, we manually compress the groin for a few minutes and finally apply a pressure bandage.

Preparation (optional) Fasting for four hours before the procedure
Anesthesia Local anesthesia
Duration of the operation 40 – 80min

Aftercare

After the examination, you are required to rest in bed for six hours and to wear a compression bandage. Usually, patients can then go home still on the same day. It is possible to work in the days following the procedure, but heavy lifting and heavy physical labor should be avoided for a few days.

Hospital stay One day
Inability to work Usually none. It is possible to work in the days following the procedure, but heavy lifting and heavy physical labor should be avoided.

Responsible senior physicians

Zsolt Kulcsar, PD Dr. med.

Director of Department, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00
Specialties: Diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology, Minimally invasive treatment of neurovascular disease patterns., Neurovascular imaging

Tilman Schubert, PD Dr. med. univ.

Senior Attending Physician, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00
Specialties: Interventional neuroradiology, Diagnostic Neuroradiology

Jawid Madjidyar, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00
Specialties: Interventional neuroradiology, Diagnostic Neuroradiology, Diagnostic radiology

Patrick Thurner

Attending Physician, Department of Neuroradiology

Tel. +41 44 255 56 00

For patients

As a patient, you cannot register directly for an appointment. Please have your physician refer you to our clinic or to register you for the neurovascular consultation hour. ​

 

If you have any questions, please contact our patient secretariat.

Tel. +41 44 255 56 01
Contact form

For referring physicians

Refer your patient through the online form or through an e-mail to the patient secretariat.

Tel. +41 44 255 56 01
Online referral form

Responsible Department