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Brain catheterization is a medical procedure that is performed to either diagnose or treat certain health conditions. Continue reading the following article to learn more about the side effects of brain catheterization.
The doctor may resort to performing a brain catheterization (Cerebral Angiography) either to diagnose certain medical conditions, such as blood clots that may lead to strokes, or to treat some conditions that may affect the brain and lead to serious health problems. What are the side effects of brain catheterization? Are there health risks to this medical procedure?
Side effects of brain catheterization
Brain catheterization is performed by ing a catheter tube into one of the blood vessels located in the thigh or arm, and rarely in the neck. The doctor then injects a special dye and monitors its flow in the blood vessels, by taking a group of pictures using X-rays to verify their safety and to detect There is any change in the blood vessels leading to or in the brain.
Brain catheterization is usually performed within a period not exceeding 2-3 hours, with the possibility of the patient returning home on the same day without any problems. However, undergoing this medical procedure may cause the patient to be exposed to some minor side effects, which often disappear on their own after several days. days.
Side effects of brain catheterization
We mention in the following the most prominent side effects of brain catheterization:
A small bump or bruise appears where the catheter was ed and usually disappears within several days, but in some cases a large bruise may appear, especially if the groin area is used to the catheter, which may take a period of up to several weeks to disappear.
The possibility of minor allergic symptoms, such as itching, if the patient is allergic to the dye rays used in the brain catheterization.
Feeling pain in the area used to the catheter.
Headache after the catheterization procedure for a period that may range from several hours to several days.
Complications of brain catheterization
Cerebral catheterization is a safe procedure, but some patients may be exposed to health complications after undergoing brain catheterization. Here are the most prominent possible complications of brain catheterization:
The patient is exposed to infection as a result of the incision made to the catheter, which may cause infection.
Damage to the kidneys occurs as a result of the use of contrast rays, especially if the patient previously suffers from kidney disease or diabetes, but the kidneys often regain their normal functions after 5-7 days.
The patient suffered a stroke as a result of the catheter moving the atherosclerotic plaques that may form on the walls of blood vessels in patients suffering from atherosclerosis.
A clot forms around the catheter tube, which may lead to the closure of the artery used for the catheterization, and this requires surgery to open it.
Damage to the blood vessels may lead to injury during the catheterization procedure, causing internal bleeding in the patient.
When should you see a doctor?
After we learned about the most prominent side effects of brain catheterization, here are the complications that require immediate hospitalization if they occur:
Bleeding from the place where the catheter was ed.
The appearance of symptoms indicating the presence of infection, such as: high temperature, severe pain, swelling and redness in the area where the catheter was ed, or the emergence of pus from the wound site.
The appearance of a painful bump that quickly increases in size in the area where the catheter tube is ed.
Feeling pain, numbness, or coldness in the extremities or a change in color to blue.
Loss of consciousness and fainting.
Extreme difficulty breathing.
Feeling severe pain in the abdomen or back.
Exposure to symptoms that may indicate the occurrence of a clot or stroke, such as: loss of the ability to speak or comprehend speech, inability to walk, balance, or move a limb, blurred vision, severe headache, and feeling weak or unable to move one side of the face and body.
