Angiogram

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An angiogram (AN-jee-oh-gram) is a test to look at arteries in the body. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the body. This test is also called angiography or arteriography. During an angiogram, a catheter is put into an artery, usually in your groin. Your groin is the area between your abdomen (belly) and the top of your leg. A catheter is long, thin, bendable tube. Sometimes the catheter may be put into a different artery, such as one in your arm. Special dye is given through the catheter, and x-ray pictures of blood flow in certain arteries are taken.
  
  
• You may need an angiogram to check for blockage or other problems in an artery. Some causes of blood flow problems in arteries are blood clots or atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is also called hardening of the arteries. You may need an angiogram if you have other blood vessel problems, such as an aneurysm. An aneurysm is when the wall of a blood vessel gets weak and bulges out like a balloon.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Most people do not have problems having an angiogram. However, there are risks with any medical procedure. Caregivers may have trouble getting the bleeding from your artery to stop after the catheter is removed. Rarely, the catheter may cause a problem with your blood vessel that would take surgery to fix. Fluid could build up in your lungs and cause trouble breathing. Blood clots could go to your lungs or brain and cause a stroke. The clots could go to your arm or leg and stop the blood from going to them. You could have kidney problems from the dye. You could have an allergic reaction to the dye or numbing medicine. Caregivers will watch you closely for these problems.
  
  
• If you do not have an angiogram, caregivers may not know the best way to treat your health problem. This could cause your health condition to get worse. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your angiogram:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Call button: You may use the call button when you need your caregiver. Pain, trouble breathing, or wanting to get out of bed are good reasons to call. The call button should always be close enough for you to reach it.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.
  
  
• Circulation checks: The pulses (heartbeat) in your wrists, feet, or ankles may be checked to make sure you have good blood flow. Caregivers may put an "X" over the spots on your legs and feet where the pulse is the strongest. Caregivers may also take a blood pressure reading in both arms or both legs.
  
  
• Foley catheter: This is a tube caregivers put into your bladder to drain your urine into a bag. Keep the bag below your waist. This will help prevent infection and other problems caused by urine flowing back into your bladder. Do not pull on the catheter, because this may cause pain and bleeding, and the catheter could come out. Keep the catheter tubing free of kinks so your urine will flow into the bag. Caregivers will remove the catheter as soon as possible, to help prevent infection.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG or EKG. Sticky pads placed on your skin record your heart's electrical activity.
  
  
• IV: An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.
  
  
• Pre-op care: You will be asked to remove all clothing (including underwear) and change into a hospital gown. Go to the bathroom before the test so that you will be comfortable. Caregivers may ask you to remove any jewelry, hairpins, glasses, and dental plates. You may be given medicine right before the procedure. This medicine may make you feel sleepy and more relaxed. You may be given medicine to decrease the risk of itching or an allergic reaction because of the dye.

During your angiogram:

• You will lie on a movable x-ray bed. There are large x-ray machines and other equipment in the room. Lead aprons may be placed over your neck or body to protect certain organs from x-rays. Before putting in the catheter, a caregiver will clean the skin over the artery with soap. This soap may make your skin yellow, but it will be cleaned off later. The skin may be shaved to see the area better. Sterile (germ-free) sheets will be put over you to keep the area clean. You may get medicine called local anesthesia that will numb the area where the angiogram catheter will go in. You may also be given medicine in your IV to help you relax.
  
  
• A catheter will be put into an artery, usually in your arm or groin. You may feel pressure or discomfort when the catheter is first put into the skin. The catheter travels through the artery to the area in the body that is being studied. Dye is put through the catheter to help your blood vessels and organs show up better in the x-ray pictures. You may feel warm as the dye is put into the catheter. You may get a headache or upset stomach. These are normal feelings and will go away quickly. It is very important that you lie very still while the x-rays are taken so that caregivers can get good pictures.

After your angiogram:

• When the angiogram is over, the catheter will be taken out of your artery. Firm pressure will be put over where the catheter went into your skin. This pressure may be held for at least 10 to 20 minutes. This allows the artery to seal over so it will not bleed. After pressure is held, you may have a tight pressure bandage and possibly a sandbag placed over the puncture site. If so, the sandbag will stay in place for two or more hours. You will be able to eat and drink after caregivers know that your artery is sealed over and that your stomach is feeling OK. A collagen plug, stitches, or another device may be used to close your artery.
  
  
• Caregivers will check your vital signs (blood pressure and heartbeat) often for the first one to two hours after your angiogram. They will also check the blood flow in your arm or leg that was used for the angiogram. You may need lie flat and keep your arm or leg straight for several hours after your angiogram. Follow your caregiver's instructions carefully. Moving too soon after an angiogram may cause serious problems. Do not lift your head, raise the head or foot of your bed, or get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. Let your caregiver know if lying flat is uncomfortable.
  
  
• You must use a bedpan or a urinal until you are able to get out of bed and go to the bathroom. If you are unable to use a bedpan or a urinal, a foley catheter may be placed in your bladder.
  
  
• Arrange to have a friend or family member stay with you until you are allowed to sit up and move around in bed. They can help you eat and drink during the time that you have to lie flat.
  
  
• When you are allowed out of bed, get up slowly. If you ever feel weak or dizzy, sit or lie down right away. Then call your caregiver.
  
  
• Caregivers will watch you closely for problems that can happen after an angiogram. Tell your caregiver if:
  
  
  • You have chest pain, pressure, or tightness.
    
    
  • Your leg or arm feels unusually hot or cold, or turns a different color. Tell caregivers if your leg or arm hurts, or feels numb.
    
    
  • You feel swelling or wetness at the puncture site.
    
    
  • You have pain in your back, thigh or groin.
    
    
  • You feel nauseated (sick to your stomach) or start to sweat a lot.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.