ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the purpose, specific goals, technique, and complications of catheter-based cerebral angiography. Traditionally, cerebral angiography has been performed by neuroradiologists, but the application of percutaneous intervention for chronic brachiocephalic occlusive diseases and acute stroke has resulted in the increasing involvement of interventional cardiologists. The specific goals of cerebral angiography are to provide a detailed assessment of the aortic arch, extracranial brachiocephalic vessels, intracranial circulation, and collaterals. Selective carotid angiography is performed most often to assess symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerosis. The carotid artery is considered in four segments: the common carotid artery (CCA), the external carotid artery (ECA), the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA), and the intracranial circulation. The cervical segment of the ICA is the most common site for carotid atherosclerosis and consists of the carotid bulb and the ascending ICA. The anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and its branches supply the majority of blood flow to the anterior, medial, and anterobasal portions of the brain.
