ARRT Vascular-Interventional Radiography key terms

An imaging method that subtracts a pre-contrast mask image from post-contrast images so only opacified vessels remain visible, removing bone and soft tissue from the display.

The pre-contrast image captured before contrast arrives; it is stored and subtracted from later frames to produce the angiographic image.

Selecting a different pre-contrast frame as the subtraction mask after the run, done to correct for patient motion or misregistration artifacts.

A post-processing adjustment that repositions the mask relative to contrast frames to compensate for small patient movements and reduce misregistration artifact.

Misregistration on a subtracted image caused by patient movement between mask and contrast frames, appearing as ghost outlines or edge halos.

The ability of an imaging system to distinguish two small objects that are close together, often described in line pairs per millimeter.

The ability to distinguish between tissues or structures that differ only slightly in density or signal intensity.

The number of pixel columns and rows making up a digital image; larger matrices generally improve spatial resolution but increase storage and processing demands.

The physical area of the patient included in the reconstructed image; changing it alters pixel size and therefore spatial resolution.

Display controls that set the range and center of pixel values shown, adjusting image contrast and brightness without changing the stored data.

Moving the imaging table to follow a contrast bolus as it travels through the vascular tree, allowing a longer vessel segment to be imaged with a limited contrast volume.

A programmable pump that delivers a set volume and flow rate of contrast through a catheter, providing reproducible opacification and reducing hand-injection variability.

The volume of contrast delivered per unit time by an injector, typically expressed in milliliters per second; it influences vessel opacification and catheter safety.

A programmed ceiling on injection pressure that stops or alarms the injector to protect the vessel and catheter from excessive force.

An iodine-based agent that attenuates x-rays more than surrounding tissue, making vessels visible on angiography; it can be ionic or nonionic and varies in osmolality.

The concentration of dissolved particles in a solution; higher-osmolality contrast tends to cause more discomfort and physiologic effects than lower-osmolality agents.

Acute kidney injury occurring after intravascular iodinated contrast administration; risk rises with pre-existing renal impairment, diabetes, and dehydration.

A blood test reflecting kidney function; it is checked before contrast procedures to identify patients at risk for contrast-induced nephropathy.

A calculated estimate of kidney filtration capacity derived from blood creatinine and patient factors; low values flag increased contrast risk.

A severe, allergy-like response to contrast that is not true IgE-mediated, producing hives, bronchospasm, or hypotension; treated with epinephrine and supportive care.

Leakage of contrast or infusate outside the vessel into surrounding tissue, causing pain and swelling; managed by stopping injection, elevating the limb, and monitoring.

Vessel access method using needle puncture, guidewire insertion, needle removal, and placement of a sheath or catheter over the wire.

A small-gauge needle and fine guidewire are used to enter a vessel, then exchanged for a larger sheath; preferred when access is difficult or risky.

A short plastic tube placed in the vessel to maintain access, protect the vessel wall, and allow catheter exchange without repeated punctures.

A thin wire used to navigate vessels and provide a track over which catheters and sheaths are advanced; it comes in varied diameters, lengths, and tip shapes.

A flexible tube inserted into the vasculature to deliver contrast, measure pressures, or allow therapy; it is described by French size, length, and tip configuration.

A unit describing catheter or sheath diameter, where one French equals one-third millimeter; larger numbers indicate larger diameter.

Widening of a narrowed vessel using a balloon catheter inflated at the stenosis to stretch and crack the plaque and vessel wall.

A mesh tube deployed inside a vessel to hold it open and maintain blood flow after angioplasty or in native stenoses.

Deliberate occlusion of a vessel using coils, particles, or liquid agents to stop bleeding, shrink tumors, or treat vascular malformations.

Delivery of a clot-dissolving drug directly into a thrombosed vessel or graft to restore flow, often with imaging guidance and repeated checks.

Real-time x-ray imaging used to guide catheters and devices; it is the primary source of occupational radiation dose in the angiography suite.

Fluoroscopy that produces x-ray pulses at a set rate rather than continuously; lower pulse rates reduce patient and staff dose.

A feature that keeps the final fluoroscopic frame displayed after exposure ends, allowing review without additional radiation.

Restricting the x-ray beam to the area of interest, which reduces patient dose and scatter and improves image contrast.

Radiation deflected from the patient that spreads in all directions and is the main source of staff exposure during fluoroscopy.

Protective garment worn by staff to attenuate scatter radiation; it should be checked periodically for cracks and stored flat.

A badge worn by personnel to record cumulative occupational radiation dose for monitoring and regulatory compliance.

The patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving an explanation of its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Explaining the procedure, sensations, and post-procedure instructions in understandable language so the patient can cooperate and give informed consent.

Use of medications to reduce anxiety and discomfort during a procedure while maintaining airway and vital-sign monitoring.