Interventional Vascular, Angiography Technologist - Research Paper Example

Angiography is one such technological method discovered for diagnosing the inner lumen of the arteries, veins, and entire closed vessels that help in the transportation of blood and particularly heart chambers.

Individual students qualifying for the angiography programs need to have graduated in the related program and be accredited by JRCERT and must have passed the ARRT certificate exams. The individual applicant must also obtain or have an advanced imaging certificate from the Department of Health Sciences. Any qualified applicant into the angiography program will then be offered advice by the Open University. Coursework in the advanced imaging program is conducted at the community level upon the approval of the Program Director who issues credit (Kadir 14). For one to continue with the course program, a minimum of C should be scored in each of the course programs. The student should have been accepted for a clinical internship in at least two relevant clinical centers where they should have worked for a minimum of 24 hours a day. Accreditation for angiograph technologists requires completion of the program with minimum scores of C in every course and having completed the necessary internship programs.

Angiography was initially performed by way of injecting radio-opaque and contracts agent into the blood system. The contrast agent assisted in the effective imaging of the particular sick body parts by use of X-ray techniques like fluoroscopy (Bakal 9). The result of the film or imaging of the blood vessels is what is usually referred to as angiography. The contrast agent injected into the blood functions by absorbing the projected X-rays thus making the blood and the enclosing part more visible to the health practitioner (Cleveland Clinics). The most commonly used contrast agents are just systems of catheters and guided wires. Most images are usually taken by a technical method called digital subtraction angiography. This technology ensures the subtraction of organs and bones to allow easy visualization of the vessels occupied by the contrast agent. In using the digital subtraction method, the individual patient is required to remain in a motionless state. This fact makes it difficult the use digital subtraction in examining the heart, which is always in a system of movements. Diagnosis of the enclosed blood vessels with this technology cardiologists to see and study the probable blockages present in the blood vessels.

Angiography also involves some other technical procedures like the aortogram, which is a diagnostic test performed through the use of a catheter that helps in the injection of dye into the aorta. The dye acts as a contrast medium where X-rays are focused to help in clear visualization of the inner walls of the aorta. The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is an angiographic diagnostic technique that involves the use of a long, slender, flexible, and small tube, which is inserted into the peripheral vein of the heart or chest. The PICC technique is considered less invasive and one that cannot cause complications to the health of the individual patient. The PICC also uses ultrasound to help in easy visualization of the organs. The process of diagnosis by use of this technique requires the expertise of a professional nurse who performs the procedure in the patient room where there is reduced discomfort, loss of nursing care, and transportation. Stent placement is a diagnostic technique that involves placing mesh stainless steel in the artery to help in preventing the closing of the artery (National Jewish Health). In performing this treatment, a doctor inserts a catheter in the groin of the legs and arms followed by an injection of a dye that helps in visualizing the blood flow in the artery. The doctor then moves a balloon catheter and then sent to the exact part that is blocked with fats or blood clotting (John Hopkins Medicine).

Computed Tomography (CT) is another viable technology for conducting a diagnosis of the inner parts of the blood vessels. The CT scanner is usually in the shape of a doughnut and usually runs on the body of the patient during the treatment process. Usually, the patient is laid on top of a table when being scanned with a CT machine (WebMD). Just like the angiograph machine, the CT machine uses dye as a contrast medium and X-rays for imaging particular body parts. The scanner projects X-rays on the part of the body being studied and with the help of an iodine contrast medium, a clear picture is produced. As common with angiography, the dye used in the CT can also help in examining the blood flow and determination of tumors found in the specific body part. The difference between the CT and angiography methodologies is that the picture produced by CT can be obtained before and after the removal of the dye while the angiography picture must only be obtained in the presence of the dye. While a CT scan can be used to study all body parts, the angiography method is limited to motionless parts of the body and cannot work in the heart. Read More