Introduction
Angiography is a special X-ray procedure that takes pictures ("angiograms") of your blood vessels. It is usually done by inserting a catheter into an artery or vein in your groin. In some cases another site is selected; if so, the radiologist will discuss this with you.
The catheter is a small, flexible, hollow tube about the size of a thin strand of spaghetti. The radiologist carefully threads it into your blood vessel and guides it to the area to be studied. He watches the catheter moving through your blood vessels on a special X-ray television screen. When the catheter reaches the site under investigation, X-ray dye is injected through the catheter. This clearly outlines the blood vessels and enables the radiologist to see any irregularities or blockages.
A day or two before the exam, you must come in for a pre-test appointment. At that time you will be seen by a radiologist and/or a nurse, who will give you more information about your procedure and answer any questions you may have. They will give you written instructions telling you what to do before the test and where to go when you come to Stony Brook on the day of the test. They will also ask you to sign a form giving your consent for the procedure. You will then be sent to have blood tests.
What will happen during my procedure?
After you arrive at the hospital you will change into a gown. You do not need to remove your dentures, eyeglasses, or hearing aids. You'll proceed to the L-2 Special Procedures area, where you'll meet your team, and then be brought into the X-ray room. If you have not already been set up with one, your nurse will start an intravenous in order to give you fluids. She'll check your "vital signs," that is your heart rate and blood pressure. These vital signs will be checked frequently throughout your procedure. Your nurse will also check the pulses in your feet. The X-ray technologist will also be preparing you for this exam. This involves shaving the hair on your groin and washing the area with a special soap. Finally, sterile sheets will be placed over you. It is important to keep your hands at your sides under these sterile sheets.
What will I feel during my angiogram?
The radiologist will numb your groin with a local anesthetic such as xylocaine. This will sting a bit, but only for a few seconds. After this, you should feel only pressure where the doctor is working.
The nurse will also give you some intravenous medications to help relax you and make you more comfortable. As the doctor places the catheter, you may notice that the lights go on and off in the room. This allows the doctor to see the TV screen more clearly, so as to follow the catheter's progress. Just as you cannot feel blood flowing in your body, you will not feel the catheter moving inside your blood vessels. When X-ray dye is injected, you may feel a warm or hot flushed feeling. This is a normal response and passes in a few seconds.
While we're taking the X-ray pictures, we'll give you breathing instructions from time to time. Also, we'll tell you before we take the X-rays what you can expect to feel and hear. Once all the necessary pictures are taken, the doctor will remove the catheter, and apply pressure to the puncture site for ten to twenty minutes. This allows the blood vessel to seal over so it does not bleed (stitches are not necessary). A Band-Aid will be placed on the site.
What can I expect after my angiogram?
After your angiogram you will rest in bed for six to eight hours in a recovery area. You must keep your leg straight to keep the puncture site from bleeding, since movement could dislodge the seal in your blood vessel. Your nurses can carefully turn you onto your side for back comfort. You may resume your normal diet. The X-ray dye that was used will cause you to urinate more than usual after your procedure, and you will need to drink more fluids. The intravenous fluids will also help keep you hydrated. You may use a bedpan or urinal.
Your nurse will check on you frequently. She'll take your vital signs, check the puncture site, and check your foot pulses. You should let her know if you have any discomfort such as nausea, headache, a cold feeling, or numbness/tingling in your foot. Please call her immediately if you feel a warm wet sensation or swelling in your groin.
Before you leave the hospital, we will give you written information about caring for yourself at home.
How will I learn the results?
Your doctor will discuss the results of the angiogram with you.
