Alternative for Angiogram

[Invincible18]

Hi,

My dad is 75 year old. He is diabetic. There were problems with his kidneys so, now he is on Dialysis twice a week. Doctor said that there could be a problem with heart walves so, he suggested to do Angiogram. Are there alternatives to do Angiogram? Is it really required to do Angiogram? Please advise.

Thanks,
Padma.

[ed34]

You could ask your cardiologist about maybe doing a high resolution CT scan. However, this also uses a radioactive isotope and I'm not sure what effects this could have on the kidneys.

[anandbharti]

Hello Padma,
Sorry to learn about your dad. I had a CT angiogram for heart this week. Compared to a regular angiogram or catheterization , the CT angiogram can be considered a noninvasive procedure. However, in your dad's case the CT angiogram may also be considered risky because of kidney problems. His kidneys may not be able to deal with the dye used for CT angiogram. I am not a doctor so here I am just giving advice based on my on experience.  

[ed34]

However, an angiogram also uses radioactive dye. I would ask your cardiologist which would have the least impact on the kidneys.

[TonyBob]

I'd check to see if IVUS is available as a new method?

IntraVascularUltraSound

[kenkeith]

There is no requirement for angiogram...that procedure is best for blood flow anaylsis.  A valve problem (stenosis, regurgitation, structually abnormal, etc.) can be analyzed with an echocardiogram with the doppler software (color codes blood flow in realtime).