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Angiography is a procedure in which the doctor examines your arteries in detail. The doctor uses a catheter (a long flexible tube) to put dye in the artery and takes x-rays to help identify any problems.

to look for blockage or narrowing of the artery.
to look for defects in the artery wall, such as an aneurysm (a weak spot).

The doctor may do an ultrasound first. An ultrasound is a safe, painless procedure in which sound waves are used to create a picture of the artery and its contents. In some cases, the results of the ultrasound eliminate the need to have angiography.

Before the procedure, tell the doctor if you have had any kidney problems or reactions to iodine-containing substances, such as kidney contrast dye or seafood.

Follow the instructions provided by your doctor. Eat a light meal the night before the test. Do not eat anything after midnight on the day of the procedure, but drink extra water and a sport drink that morning, take your regular medicines except fluid pills (diuretics) and metformin (Glucophage), arthiritis medicine. You probably need premedication with Bicitra and mucomyst. See about a prescription for this. Do not take the metformin (Glucophage) for 2 more days after.

Before the procedure, a local anesthetic is injected in the area where the catheter will be inserted. Then the doctor inserts a catheter into an artery and guides it to the artery. The doctor puts some dye into this artery and takes an x-ray picture to see if it is blocked or narrowed or has an aneurysm.

You may stay under close observation for at least 6 hours. To help control bleeding and heal the artery, a nurse will apply firm pressure to the puncture site for about 20 minutes. He or she will then put an ice pack and a ten-pound sandbag over the area.

Avoid all strenuous activity for the rest of the day. Ask your doctor or nurse for specific instructions on how to care for yourself after you leave the hospital or catheterization lab. Follow your doctor's recommended schedule for your checkup appointment. Ask how and when you should expect to hear your test results.

This procedure can identify problems in the artery. If problems in the artery are not identified and treated, they could lead to loss of blood flow to that area.

You may have an allergic reaction to the dye. An allergic reaction may cause difficulty in breathing, a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, or swelling of the skin.
If you have kidney problems, the dye might make them worse. You probably need premedication with Bicitra and mucomyst.
Blood may form a clot around the catheter. This could block the artery and require surgery to reopen it.
The catheter may puncture the artery and cause internal bleeding. Or it may knock some debris off the wall of the artery, causing blockage in another artery. Surgical correction, if possible, may be necessary.

Call the doctor immediately (205-934-3411, ask for the vascular doctor on call) if:

You have bleeding where the catheter was inserted.
The area where the catheter was put in swells a lot, especially if the swelling happens in a short time.
You have trouble using your arm or leg, coldness there, numbness, new abdominal or back pain or any other new syptom that you think might be related.

You have questions about the procedure or its result.
You need to make your follow-up appointment.