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Past Question from a VascularDoc Reader

Past Question With Answer

How dangerous is a brain angiogram in my husband who has carotid artery blockages.
Question:	My husband aged 59 has suffered from 2 intraventricular haemorrhages 8 months apart. After a digital subtraction Angiogram of intracranial vessels it showed vein dilation in the right ventricle. Also 100% blockage of right interior carotid artery,.The left carotid also shows significant narrowing.His Doctor would like to perform a super selective Angiogram under anaesthetic in order to exclude the presence of vascular dysphasia. What are the percentages of him perhaps having a stroke or complications if he goes through with this SSA? It seems that by having to go through the left carotid which is not in good shape, to get the catheter to the right hemisphere within the brain is pretty risky to me. Would you recommend this procedure? His BP has been a stable since last haemorrhage (six weeks ago).
Answer:	I can’t comment on the specifics of your husband’s problem but you obviously are being well-informed by his medical team and you are carefully considering all the options. I’m assuming you are concerned that by placing the catheter through the narrowed left carotid artery there is a chance that some plaque or clot could dislodge and travel to the brain. Perhaps you can discuss with his physicians whether the left carotid artery could first be stented to make the catheter passage easier and perhaps safer? My best wishes for his complete recovery.