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Preparing for an Angiogram

What is an Angiogram?

An angiogram (angiography) is a diagnostic procedure which takes x-ray pictures of your blood vessels (arteries). The procedure is sometimes called an arteriogram.

Angiography involves the injection of x-ray dye (contrast media) into the blood vessels. Pictures are taken using both conventional and computerized x-ray techniques. The pictures generated provide a road map of your blood vessels. Any blockages, narrowing, aneurysms (ballooning) or other abnormalities of the arteries are imaged. These images will aid in the diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition. All parts of the circulatory system can be studied, including the arteries to the legs, kidneys, and the brain. Usually, only one particular area of the body can be evaluated during one examination.

The procedure is not particularly painful and despite its somewhat complicated name, it is very simple to understand. An understanding of the procedure will help you to better comprehend why your doctor has ordered the procedure and what he or she may learn from the examination. If, after reading this section, you have any unanswered questions, do not hesitate to contact your personal doctor or the radiologist performing your angiogram. Your peace of mind and comfort are of paramount importance to your medical team.

Preparing for your Angiogram:

• Do not eat any solid food after midnight on the night before your angiogram. You may drink fluids (water, juice, coffee, etc.) and it is recommended that you drink 1-2 glasses of fluid on the morning of your procedure.
• Continue to take all your regular medications prior to your angiogram. There are two exceptions:
  • If you are taking a blood thinner (Coumadin) please notify your physician or the Medical Imaging Department.
  • If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, on the day of your procedure, reduce your morning insulin dose by one-half.
• Be sure to bring all of your medications to the hospital. In addition, if you have an allergy to x-ray dye, please notify your physician or the Medical Imaging Department as soon as possible.
• Since a mild sedative may be administered during the procedure, you should make arrangements to be driven home from the hospital at the time of your discharge.
• On the day of your procedure, please report to the Outpatient Registration Department approximately one hour before your scheduled procedure.
• Upon your arrival, a brief medical history will be taken. If needed, blood work will be drawn.
• Once the preparatory evaluation is completed, an intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm. The IV line allows the radiologist to administer fluids and medications during the procedure.
• If your physician's office scheduled your appointment, please call the hospital Medical Imaging (X-ray) Department the day before your appointment to confirm the time and date. The phone number is 332-4400 or 932-4400. In addition, we will be happy to answer any of your questions at that time or, if needed, return your call.

The Procedure:

When you arrive at the Vascular/Interventional (Angio) Lab, you will be moved onto a special x-ray table. Monitoring devices will be used to watch your blood pressure and your heart rhythm throughout the procedure. An area of your groin or upper arm will be shaved, cleaned with sterile liquid, and covered with sterile drapes to help prevent infection. After local anesthesia is applied to the entry site, a very small tube called a catheter is inserted into the artery. While viewing the x-ray picture on a TV monitor, the radiologist guides the catheter to the area to be studied. The x-ray dye is then injected into the artery through the catheter so that the blood vessels can be clearly seen on the monitor. Some patients find it interesting to view the procedure on the screen.

The next step is to take x-ray pictures of the areas of interest. You will be asked to hold your breath for 10-15 seconds and to hold still each time an x-ray is taken. This minimizes movement and insures the highest quality images. The catheter may then be moved to other sites and the process repeated so that all vessels of importance can be fully examined. Several injections of the contrast media through the catheter may be necessary. Each time the contrast is injected you may experience a sensation of heat.

Most routine angiography procedures take about one and one-half hours. When the procedure is completed, the catheter will be removed and pressure will be held on the catheter entry site for 10-20 minutes in order to stop any bleeding.

After your Angiogram:

Once the angiogram is completed you will be transferred to the outpatient department for approximately 6-8 hours of strict bed rest. During this time, a companion or family member may stay with you. While resting in the recovery area, your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored. The catheter insertion site will be watched closely to insure that no bleeding develops and that you are stable before you are discharged.

You will be able to take your usual medications and resume your regular diet. You will be allowed to return home with a companion or a family member. You are strongly urged not to drive for 12-24 hours to insure that all medications are totally out of your system and that your arterial catheter entry site is healed.

Test results are usually available to your physician the day after the procedure. Results of your angiogram will be sent directly to your physician, who will then discuss them with you.

Patient Discharge Instructions:

• Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice, coffee, soda, etc.) once you have returned home. You may resume your usual diet when you leave the hospital.
• Avoid unnecessary strenuous activities for 24 hours after discharge.
• Do not drive a car until the next morning, and keep walking to a minimum during this 12-24 hour period. You should not be home alone the day of the procedure.
• It is best to stay in or around your house until the following evening. Do not perform rigorous activity for the next three days. You can return to sedentary work after 24 hours.
• Keep a bandage (band-aid) on the catheter insertion site for one day to help prevent infection.
• Do not take a hot bath or shower for 12-24 hours after discharge.

Notify Augusta Medical Center if any of the following occurs:

1. Bleeding at the insertion site
2. Any unusual pain at the insertion site or the leg in which the catheter was inserted.
3. Any change in color or temperature of the leg or arm (a small bruise may be a normal occurrence)
4. Temperature greater than 100 degrees F

If any of these signs occur or if you have further questions following the procedure, please call your physician or AMC at 332-4400 of 932-4400. A physician will contact you as soon as possible to discuss any problems. If necessary, the radiologist will be happy to examine you at any time.

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