Angiogram
What is it?
An angiogram is an x-ray picture of the inside of a
blood vessel. The procedure used to take an angiogram is
called angiography.
Who needs this procedure?
An angiogram shows whether a blood vessel is abnormal
in any way, such as blocked, bulging, inflamed, or
narrowed. When a patient’s symptoms point to any of these
possibilities, angiography is useful in diagnosing the
cause. An angiogram can reveal heart disease,
atherosclerosis, kidney disorders, brain tumors, problems
with the retina, aneurysms, blood clots, and abnormal
formations of arteries and veins. It helps determine
whether the patient is at risk of stroke or heart attack.
How do I prepare for this procedure?
Your doctor will explain the entire process to you and
tell you not to eat or drink anything for a period of time
before your angiogram. If you have had an angiogram in the
past and know you are allergic to the dye or have an
iodine allergy, tell your doctor. Also inform your doctor
if you have a history of kidney disease because the dye
can make your condition worse. Angiography may not be
recommended for people with blood clotting disorders.
How is this procedure performed?
Angiography is usually performed as an outpatient
procedure. You may receive a sedative, if necessary, and
an intravenous (IV) line in case any medications are
needed during the procedure. A healthcare professional
called a radiologist will inject a special dye into one of
your arteries or veins. The exact location of the
injection and the method in which it is injected depends
upon the area being studied. The area where the dye is
injected will be numbed, and you should feel no more than
mild to moderate discomfort. Then, x-ray pictures are
taken as the dye flows through the blood vessels. The
angiogram will reveal anything blocking the path of the
dye or other abnormalities along the way. You may feel
warm or flushed as the dye spreads through your body. Some
patients experience other side effects, such as headache,
dizziness, or chest pain just after the dye is injected,
but these should pass quickly. After the angiogram is
complete, the radiologist will remove the instrument used
to inject the dye and apply pressure to the site of the
injection. You will need to stay for observation for a
period of time after the procedure. Some patients are
hospitalized overnight, depending upon the area studied.
What can I expect after the procedure?
While the injection site may feel sore for a while
after the procedure, most people experience no side
effects from angiography. However, if you experience a
drop in blood pressure and/or breathing problems, you are
having an allergic reaction to the dye and should contact
your doctor immediately. Some patients may develop a hard
mass, called a hematoma, around the injection site. Your
doctor should monitor this condition because it could mean
there is bleeding in that area. If you have had
angiography on the retina of your eye, you should protect
your eyes from direct sunlight for a time specified by
your doctor.
Self-care tips
Give yourself a few days to rest after angiography.
Call your doctor if you have any pain, swelling, or
bleeding around the site where the dye was injected; or
experience dizziness or chest pain.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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