Salim Khan Health Update: Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan, is currently stable following a medical procedure at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai. The 90-year-old was admitted on February 17 and underwent a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), after which he was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit for monitoring.
In this article, we will understand what DSA means, and when is it done.
What Is DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography)?
Here is a detailed explanation of the procedure, its purpose, and what it may indicate in a patient’s health evaluation:
Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is an advanced imaging technique used to study blood vessels in detail. It is considered one of the most accurate tests for detecting abnormalities in arteries and veins, especially in sensitive areas like the brain, spine, and neck.
Accrording to the World Health Organisation (WHO), DSA provides an image of the blood vessels in the brain to detect a problem with blood flow. The procedure involves inserting a catheter (a small, thin tube) into an artery in the leg and passing it up to the blood vessels in the brain. A contrast dye is injected through the catheter and X-ray images are taken of the blood vessels.
Why Is DSA Done: Doctor Explains Who Need It The Most?
According to Dr Nivedita Mukherjee, HOD Cardiology, Sarvodaya Hospitals, Ghaziabad, doctors may recommend DSA when they suspect problems in the blood vessels that cannot be fully confirmed through routine scans like CT or MRI. “DSA is considered the gold standard for evaluating cerebral blood flow. Doctors perform it when they need the clearest possible view of brain arteries, especially in older patients with stroke or vascular risk factors.”
Some common reasons include:
1. Suspected Brain Aneurysm: A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel wall that can bulge or rupture. DSA helps locate aneurysms precisely.
2. Stroke Evaluation: DSA may be done to assess blood flow in the brain after stroke-like symptoms or to detect blockages.
3. Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): An AVM is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that disrupts normal circulation. DSA is the gold standard for diagnosing AVMs.
4. Carotid Artery Disease: Blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the brain can increase stroke risk. DSA provides detailed vessel mapping.
5. Planning for Treatment or Surgery: Sometimes DSA is performed before an intervention to guide doctors in planning the safest treatment approach.
Salim Khan celebrated his 90th birthday in November 2025. He is one of the most respected writers in Indian cinema. As part of the famous writer duo Salim-Javed, he co-wrote many films including Sholay, Zanjeer, and Deewar, which became major successes and are still remembered today.
