What is an Angiogram
Angiogram is an X-ray test. It is used to check your blood vessels. In this test, a dye is put into the blood vessel being checked. The dye is put into the blood vessel through a long, thin tube (catheter).
The dye shows up on X-rays. It helps your doctor see if there is a blockage or other problem in the blood vessel. The catheter may go through:
- Your upper leg area (groin).
- The fold of your arm, near your elbow.
- Your wrist.
What happens before the procedure?
Staying hydrated
Follow instructions from your doctor about hydration, which may include:
- Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
Follow instructions from your doctor about eating and drinking, which may include:
- 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
- 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
General instructions
- Ask
your doctor about:
- Changing or stopping your normal medicines. This is important if you take diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
- Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your doctor tells you not to.
- You may have blood samples taken.
- Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
- If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.
What happens during the procedure?
- To
lower your risk of infection:
- Your health care team will wash their hands.
- Your skin will be washed with soap.
- Hair may be removed from the area.
- You will lie on your back on an X-ray table. You may be strapped to the table if it is tilted.
- An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
- Small patches (electrodes) may be placed on your chest to check your heart rate during the procedure.
- You
will be given one or more of the following:
- A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
- A medicine to numb the area where the catheter will be inserted (local anesthetic).
- The catheter will be inserted into an artery using a guide wire.
- Using a type of X-ray to see, your doctor will move the catheter into the blood vessel to check it.
- Dye will be put in through the catheter. X-rays of your blood vessels will then be taken.
- After the X-ray is done, the catheter will be taken out.
- A bandage will be placed over the site where the catheter was put in. Pressure will be applied to help stop any bleeding.
The procedure may vary among doctors and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will be kept in bed lying flat for several hours. If the catheter was put in through your leg, you will be told not to bend or cross your legs.
- Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be checked until the medicines you were given have worn off.
- The insertion area and the pulse in your feet or wrist will be checked often.
- You will be told to drink plenty of fluids. This will help get the dye out of your body.
- More blood tests and X-rays may be done.
- Tests to check the electrical activity in your heart (electrocardiogram) may be done.
- Do notdrive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
- It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your doctor when your results will be ready.
Summary
- An angiogram is an X-ray test used to check your blood vessels.
- In this procedure, a dye is injected through a catheter into an artery. X-rays are then taken.
- After the procedure, you will need to lie flat for several hours and drink plenty of fluids.
Angiogram, Care After
Follow these instructions at home:
Insertion site care
- Follow
instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your long, thin
tube (catheter) insertion area. Make sure you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
- Change your bandage as told by your doctor.
- Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or skin tape (adhesive) strips in place. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If tape strips get loose and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do notremove tape strips completely unless your doctor says it is okay.
- Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it is okay.
- You
may shower 24–48 hours after the procedure or as told by your doctor.
- Gently wash the area with plain soap and water.
- Pat the area dry with a clean towel.
- Do not rub the area. This may cause bleeding.
- Do notapply powder or lotion to the area. Keep the area clean and dry.
- Check
your insertion area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- More redness, swelling, or pain.
- Fluid or blood.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.
Activity
- Rest as told by your doctor, usually for 1–2 days.
- Do notlift anything that is heavier than 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) or as told by your doctor.
- Do notdrive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
- Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
General instructions
- Go back to your normal activities as told by your doctor, usually in about a week. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
- If the insertion area starts to bleed, lie flat and put pressure on the area. If the bleeding does not stop, get help right away. This is an emergency.
- Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
Contact a doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- You have chills.
- You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your insertion area.
- You have fluid or blood coming from your insertion area.
- The insertion area feels warm to the touch.
- You have pus or a bad smell coming from your insertion area.
- You have more bruising around the insertion area.
- Blood collects in the tissue around the insertion area (hematoma) that may be painful to the touch.
Get help right away if:
- You have a lot of pain in the insertion area.
- The insertion area swells very fast.
- The insertion area is bleeding, and the bleeding does not stop after holding steady pressure on the area.
- The area near or just beyond the insertion area becomes pale, cool, tingly, or numb.
These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Summary
- After the procedure, it is common to have bruising and tenderness at the long, thin tube insertion area.
- After the procedure, it is important to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it is okay to do so. You may shower 24–48 hours after the procedure or as told by your doctor.
- If the insertion area starts to bleed, lie flat and put pressure on the area. If the bleeding does not stop, get help right away. This is an emergency.
