Angiography
This is an X-ray of the arteries and veins to find blockage or narrowing of the vessels, as well as other problems.
What is an angiogram?
An angiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses X-ray images to look for blockages in your blood vessels (arteries or veins). An angiogram test allows your healthcare provider to see how blood circulates in blood vessels at specific locations in your body. Providers use an angiogram of your heart, neck, kidneys, legs or other areas to locate the source of an artery or vein issue.
Why an angiogram is done
Your healthcare provider may want to do an angiogram procedure when you have signs of blocked, damaged or abnormal blood vessels. An angiogram test helps your provider determine the source of the problem and the extent of damage to your blood vessels.
With an angiogram test, your provider can diagnose and/or plan treatment for conditions, such as:
Coronary artery disease.
Peripheral artery disease.
Blood clots.
Aneurysm.
Who performs an angiogram?
An interventional cardiologist performs an angiogram. Interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons perform angiograms of peripheral arteries. Interventional neurologists perform cerebral angiograms. The provider who performs the angiogram can study your images and identify problem areas.
How does an angiogram test work?
An angiogram involves injecting contrast material (dye) that your provider can see with an X-ray machine. Images on a screen show blood flow and blockages in your blood vessels.
How do you prepare for an angiogram test?
Before your angiogram test, your provider may want to check your blood to determine how well your blood clots. They also want to make sure your kidneys are working well.
What happens during an angiogram test?
During an angiogram procedure, your provider will:
Numb the area where the catheter will go.
Access your blood vessel with a needle.
Thread a wire through the needle.
Slide a long, slender tube called a catheter over the needle and into a large artery (usually in your groin area).
Slowly and carefully thread the catheter through your artery until the catheter’s tip reaches the part of the blood vessel they want to examine.
Inject a small amount of contrast material (dye) through the catheter and into your blood vessel segment. For a few seconds, this can make you feel flushed or like you need to pee.
Take X-rays.
Watch where the contrast agent goes on the X-ray monitor to see where and how well blood is moving in your blood vessels.
How long does an angiogram take?
An angiogram can take as little as 15 minutes. However, some can take a few hours. It depends on what procedures your provider does after they find the issue.
Are you awake during an angiogram?
It depends. Most people receive medicine to sedate or relax them. Others receive general anesthesia, which makes them sleep.
How painful is an angiogram?
An angiogram isn’t very painful. You’ll feel a needle going into your skin when your provider injects an anesthetic to numb the area where they’ll insert a catheter. After that, you most likely won’t feel any more pain during the procedure.