Angiography Patient Information

This leaflet tells you about having an normal. The bruise might be sore for a few If you are taking warfarin, this may be angiogram. It explains what is involved and days but will disappear in a few weeks. stopped before the procedure and you may what the possible risks are. It is not meant to Rarely a large bruise may develop and require admission to hospital to give you an replace informed discussion between you require a small operation to drain it. alternative. and your doctor, but can act as a starting Occasionally, a tender pulsating swelling If you are diabetic, your doctors will advise point for such discussions. If you have any called a false aneurysm may develop over a you about any changes needed to your questions about the procedure please ask few days due to ongoing leakage from the normal medication. the doctor who has referred you or the arterial puncture site. This can usually be department which is going to perform it. treated by an injection of a blood-clotting If you have any allergies or have previously agent under ultrasound guidance. had a reaction to the dye (contrast agent), What is an angiogram? you must tell the radiology staff before you An angiogram is a special X-ray examination Very rarely, some damage can be caused to have the test. the artery by the catheter or by displacement designed to show the arteries in your body Who will you see? relevant to your problems. A dye (contrast of the material causing a blockage in other agent), which usually contains iodine, is arteries (an embolus). This may require a A specially trained team led by an injected directly into the artery through a fine small operation or another procedure. interventional radiologist within the radiology tube (catheter). The dye fills the arteries and The dye (contrast agent) used during the department. Interventional radiologists have makes them more visible on an X-ray procedure is very safe, but occasionally can special expertise in reading the images and screen. cause damage to the kidneys. This occurs using imaging to guide catheters and wires to aid diagnosis and treatment. Why do you need an angiogram? mainly in patients whose kidney function is abnormal already and this will be identified Where will the procedure take place? Your doctor needs detailed images of the on the blood tests that are performed before arteries to determine the most appropriate In the angiography suite or theatre; this is the procedure. Allergic reactions to the dye usually located within the radiology treatment for you. Angiograms are most are also possible, but are very rarely serious. commonly performed to investigate department. This is similar to an operating blockages, areas of bleeding and to depict Are you required to make any special theatre into which specialised X-ray the blood supply to abnormal areas. Other preparations? equipment has been installed. tests such as a Doppler ultrasound scan, a An angiogram is usually carried out as a day What happens during an angiogram? computed tomography (CT) scan or a case procedure under local anaesthetic. You Before the angiogram, the interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be asked not to eat for four hours radiologist will explain the procedure and ask may have been performed but your doctors before the procedure, although you may still you to sign a consent form. Please feel free have decided that more detailed information drink clear fluids such as water. to ask any questions that you may have and, about your arteries is required. Before coming into hospital, you will have remember that even at this stage, you can Are there any risks? been asked about certain risk factors for decide against going ahead with the Angiography is a very safe procedure, but as vascular disease unless you have to come procedure if you so wish. with any medical procedure there are some into hospital as an emergency. These factors You will be asked to get undressed and put risks and complications that can arise. A include checking your blood pressure; your on a hospital gown. A small cannula (thin small bruise (haematoma) around the site of kidney function and making sure you are not tube) may be placed into a vein in your arm. the needle can occur, but this is quite on treatment for diabetes or blood clots. Occasionally, you may require a fluid drip to help your kidney function before the easy to predict; however, expect to be in the angiogram. radiology department for about an hour. You will be asked to lie on the X-ray table, What happens afterwards? generally flat on your back. The X-ray You will be taken back to your ward. Nursing machine will be positioned above you. You staff will carry out routine observations may have monitoring devices attached to including pulse and blood pressure and will your chest and finger and may be given also check the treatment site. You will oxygen. generally stay in bed for a few hours, until An angiogram is performed under sterile you have recovered and are ready to go conditions and the interventional radiologist home. and radiology nurse will wear sterile gowns Finally and gloves to carry out the procedure. Some of your questions should have been Your skin near the point of insertion, usually answered by this leaflet, but remember that British Society of Interventional the groin area, will be swabbed with this is only a starting point for discussion Radiology antiseptic and you will be covered with about your treatment with the doctors sterile drapes. The skin and deeper tissues looking after you. Make sure you are over the artery will be numbed with local satisfied that you have received enough anaesthetic. A needle followed by a wire and information about the procedure. catheter (fine plastic tube) will be inserted Contact: into the artery and guided to the correct British Society of Interventional Radiology Angiography position to obtain the images required. This www.bsir.org involves injecting small quantities of the dye (contrast agent) into the blood vessels. Once the interventional radiologist is satisfied with the images, the catheter will be removed. Firm pressure will be applied to the skin entry point, for about ten minutes, to prevent any bleeding. Sometimes a special Patient information device may be used to close the hole in the artery. Endorsed by Will it hurt? This leaflet has been prepared by the British Society of Interventional Radiology (BSIR) and the Clinical Radiology Patients’ Liaison Group (CRPLG) of The Royal It may sting a little when the local College of Radiologists. Approved by the Board of the Faculty of Clinical anaesthetic is injected. You may feel a warm Radiology: 25 February 2011 sensation for a few seconds when the dye is Legal notice Please remember that this leaflet is intended as general information only. It is not injected and feel like you are passing urine. definitive, and the RCR and the BSIR cannot accept any legal liability arising from its use. We aim to make the information as up to date and accurate as possible, How long will it take? but please be warned that it is always subject to change. Please therefore always check specific advice on the procedure or any concerns you may have with your Every patient is different, and it is not always doctor.