Ventriculography

Ventriculography is a radiopaque examination, which is most often performed in conjunction with coronary angiography and makes it possible to obtain an image of the ventricles of the heart. The study not only shows the heart, it determines its functionality: the contractile activity of the ventricles, the configuration of the cavities, changes and abnormalities of the valves, postinfarction or ischemic changes in the myocardium, its hypertrophy, aortic aneurysm, and more.

Indications for cardiac ventriculography

The procedure is prescribed to assess the function of the heart and its structure, as a necessity in a number of cases:

• to determine the contractile function of the heart muscle;
• with myocardial ischemia or aneurysm, to assess changes in the ventricular cavity;
• to monitor the state of the heart valves and identify their defects;
• to clarify the localization of those zones of the myocardium that are poorly reduced due to a lack of blood supply;
• to identify the pathology of the atrial septum;
• before the upcoming heart surgery.

Contraindications to the procedure can be:

• the presence of acute infectious processes in the body;
• chronic diseases in the stage of decompensation;
• acute and chronic renal failure;
• the presence of an allergic reaction to contrasting iodine-containing substances;
• period of pregnancy;
• violation of the blood coagulation system;
• severe violation of the patient's mental state.

It should be noted that most contraindications for ventriculography may be temporary or reversible. The decision on whether they are an obstacle to ventriculography can only be made by a specialist.

Preparing for ventriculography

A few days before the ventriculography, the doctor collects an anamnesis, general blood and urine tests, tests for glucose, electrolytes, creatinine, urea, hepatitis, HIV are prescribed, a coagulogram is examined. The patient will have an ECG, ECHO-KG, chest x-ray. If necessary, the specialist prescribes additional tests.

In case of intolerance to any medications, it is imperative to notify the attending physician. It is also worth informing if you have an intolerance to the components that make up the contrast agent, namely iodine solution. The day before the study, it is advisable to refrain from overeating, from eating foods that provoke fermentation processes in the intestines (black bread, vegetables, and fruits, natural juices). It should be emphasized that on the eve of the study, one should not refrain from taking liquids - ordinary drinking still water. On the contrary, the day before the examination, it is recommended to consume at least 1.5 liters of fluid throughout the day. This will reduce the risk of developing adverse reactions from the kidneys in response to the introduction of a radiopaque substance (contrast nephropathy), reduce the risk of allergic reactions and the formation of blood clots in the vessels during the study.

Immediately before the examination, it is not recommended to eat for 6-8 hours to avoid vomiting caused by a contrast agent, as well as the ingestion of food masses into the lungs. Medicines prescribed by the attending physician are usually taken without interruption.

How is ventriculography of the heart performed?

During ventriculography (as a rule, the entire study takes about 30 minutes and is carried out under local anesthesia, in combination with coronary angiography), a catheter is inserted into the patient through an artery in the arm or thigh, which is gradually brought to the examined ventricle of the heart (left or right). Then the specialist injects the iodine-containing contrast agent with the help of a catheter and monitors its spread along the ventricle on the monitor of the X-ray machine. During the procedure, the patient is conscious, must be ready at the request of the doctor to move, take a deep breath or hold his breath to improve the image quality. After the procedure, the specialist removes the catheter and applies a bandage. The patient receives the results of the ventriculography of the heart in digital format.

You can quickly and safely undergo heart ventriculography in Kyiv in the Dobrobut network of medical clinics. Our highly qualified doctors have unique experience in X-ray endovascular interventions on the heart vessels and regularly take advanced training courses at international congresses abroad and in Ukraine. In addition, in our work, we use only the latest modern equipment with high diagnostic accuracy, high-quality materials, and all this at affordable prices.

To sign up for a preliminary consultation or procedure, to clarify the exact cost of the service - call our call center.

Bibliography

1. Journal of Interventional and General Cardiology. Published online, 2021
2. Thomas S. Metkus - Mount Sinai Health System. Right heart ventriculography. Published online, 12 July, 2021.
3. Rakesh K. Pai - Ventriculogram | Michigan Medicine. Published online, 31 August, 2020.