Angiography & Peripheral Angioplasty
What is an Angiography?
A carotid angiography is an outpatient procedure that helps find problems in blood vessels leading to your brain. These vessels include carotid arteries, which supply your brain with blood. The procedure makes a “map” of your blood vessels. This map can show narrowing in your arteries. Narrowing can cause numbness, weakness, trouble with speech, or changes in vision. Theses symptoms may be warning signs of a stroke.
A peripheral angiography is an outpatient procedure that helps find blood vessel problems in your lower body and legs. It makes a “map” of the arteries that carry blood through your body. This map can show where blood flow may be blocked. Blockages can cause painful leg cramps while walking. They can also keep foot wounds from healing.
What Can You Expect During Your Angiography?
You may receive medicine through an IV line to relax you. You will also have an injection to numb the insertion site. A catheter (thin tube) will be inserted into an artery in your groin and the doctor will slide it to the appropriate artery. A contrast “dye” is injected into the catheter. X-ray images are taken as you lie still.
What Is a Peripheral Angioplasty?
A peripheral angioplasty is a procedure that helps open blockages in peripheral arteries. These vessels carry blood to your lower body and legs. A blockage forms when fatty deposits called plaque build up on artery walls. Angioplasty may allow your blood to flow better. This can help prevent severe leg pain and cramping.
What To Expect During Your Angioplasty
You may receive medicine through an IV line to relax you. You will also have an injection to numb the insertion site. A catheter (thin tube) will be inserted into an artery in your groin and will slide through it while viewing a video monitor. A contrast “dye” is injected into the catheter. A tiny balloon is pushed through the catheter to the blockage. Your doctor will inflate and deflate the balloon a few times to compress the plaque. The catheter is then removed.
Your doctor may determine that you need a stent. A stent is a small metal or mesh tube that holds the artery open, letting blood flow smoothly. This is done the same way except the stent is placed over the balloon. After the balloon is inflated and deflated the stent remains in place.
For Your Personal Safety
Before your angiography:
- Tell your doctor what medications you are taking especially those for heart or blood sugar problems.
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you might have.
- Schedule someone to drive you home.
After your angiography:
- Do not drive.
- Do not exercise.
- Avoid walking and taking stairs.
- Avoid bending and lifting.
All patients over 50 having an exam that requires the use of intravenous contrast will need a bun., creatinine, and renal function tests.
All diabetic patients that receive intravenous contrast and are taking Glucophage, Glucovance or Metformin will receive special instructions post contrast injection. A patient will not be able to take these medicines for 48 hous after the exam is completed. The patient will be required to have a bun. and creatinie drawn before they may resume their diabetic medications.
All patients with allergies to iodine or seafood need to take a prescription medicine. Please call the CT Department to get a prescription. Patients with severe allergic reactions (Anaphyulaxis) will NOT be given the IV contrast.
Instructions for you
- The day before:
- You need to have laboratory blood tests before your angiography.
- You will meet with a specials technician and Registered Nurse to answer any questions and review your history.
- You will be given an appointment time for the next day.
- You may not have any food or drink after midnight the night before your angiography.
- You may take medications with small sips of water depending on nurse’s instructions.
Appointment and Contact Information
Please call if you have any questions:
Carteret General Hospital 808-6154
Our hours are from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday