ABSTRACT
Interventional cardiological and neuroradiological procedures usually initially involve the cannulation of a major blood vessel under imaging control. The techniques that are utilised vary, but often involve a technique akin to that known as the ‘Seldinger technique’, in which a vessel is cannu lated and then a guide wire is inserted. The guide wire is used to allow dilation of the vessel, followed by insertion of various catheters. The catheters can be used to allow the passage of instruments to perform a variety of procedures, once the vascular tree has been mapped using radioopaque dye. As such, the main complications are always patient discomfort and the risk of bleeding from the punctured blood vessel, as well as damage to related structures. The use of radiological contrast media can precipitate a life-threatening allergic reaction. In addition, there is the possibility that any chronic condition affecting a patient (e.g. epilepsy) may deteriorate and cause a hazard during a procedure.
