What is angiography?
Angiography -- also called arteriogram or angiogram -- is an x-ray of blood vessels that have been injected with a dye to make the blood flow visible. It is used to look for narrowing, blockage or damage inside almost any blood vessel in the body. If treatment is needed, it can sometimes be done at the same time as the test.
What can I expect?
The exact procedure depends on the part of the body being examined. You may be given a sedative to help you relax. An area of your body, usually the leg at the hip joint, is cleaned and numbed. Then a long slender tube (catheter) is passed through an artery and threaded to the area that needs examining. A special dye called contrast media is then injected, and X-rays are taken to see how the dye flows through your bloodstream.
How will it feel?
We will do everything we can to make you comfortable, and you won't feel the x-rays at all. After the injection you might briefly feel a warm flush in your face or elsewhere, but this is normal. If the injection is in your groin area, you will usually be asked to lie down for a few hours.
How should I prepare?
- Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the test.
- Take your usual medications unless your doctor says not to. Talk to your doctor if you take any blood thinners that would affect bleeding (Coumadin/Warfarin, Pradaxa).
- Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home afterwards.