Diagnoses & Tests

An angiogram is commonly performed under sedation with the use of local anesthesia.

• The procedure usually starts with a needle put into the femoral (groin) artery. From one treatment site, areas all over the body can be treated.
• After access is established, catheters (thin tubes) and wires are threaded through the arterial system to a specific area of interest or throughout the entire body.
• As a contrast agent (iodine dye) is injected, X-ray images are taken to let your vascular surgeon view the flow of the dye and identify blockages. The surgeon can then choose the best mode of therapy for you – whether during or following the angiogram. This decision depends on your symptoms and the severity and characteristics of the blockages.
• Two common therapies that can be provided during the angiogram are balloon angioplasty and stent placement.

Angioplasty can be used to open arterial blockages. Guided by X-ray, your vascular surgeon navigates through the blockage with a wire and introduces a special device equipped with an inflatable balloon. After positioning the balloon device across the blocked portion of the artery, the vascular surgeon inflates the balloon to expand the artery and compress the blockage. The balloon is then deflated and removed while keeping the wire in place across the area that has been treated. Next, contrast dye is injected to assess the result. Treatment is considered a success if blood flow is improved and less than 30% of the blockage remains. If the vessel is still considerably narrowed, placing a stent may be the next step.

Stents are used to prop open an artery at the site of a narrowing. Stents are generally placed after balloon angioplasty when there is residual narrowing or insufficient blood flow in a treated vessel. Stents are considered a permanent implant and cannot be used if you have a metal allergy. Stents that are used in the leg are constructed of a nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol), a memory-shaped metal. This alloy has a predetermined size and shape at body temperature and expands to this size and shape after being introduced through a catheter. These stents resist kinking and are flexible so that damage from activities that involve your legs is minimized.

If surgery is felt to be a better option, your vascular surgeon will obtain any additional X-ray images needed to plan a surgical bypass of the blocked vessel/s and will then conclude the angiogram.

All invasive procedures can have complications. While the risk of an angiogram is low it is not zero. The most common complications are related to the arterial access site.  

BRUISING IS COMMON 

You will likely have bruising (ecchymosis) where the artery was entered.  

PAIN AND BLEEDING  

Less commonly, patients experience pain and bleeding that may include blood collecting under the skin (hematoma).  

BLOCKAGE OR LEAKAGE 

In rare cases, the access artery can become blocked. Infrequently, patients experience persistent leakage of blood where the artery was entered, which can result in the formation of a pseudoaneurysm—a blood-filled sac—that may require further treatment.  

Other complications related to an angiogram include: 

• Allergic reaction to the iodine contrast dye, which can lead to the development of kidney failure.
• Very rarely during balloon angioplasty and/or stent placement, part of the arterial blockage can break off (embolism) and travel to more distant arteries. This can worsen blood flow.

• Your vascular surgeon will specify how to prepare.
• You will likely need to stop eating and drinking 6-8 hours before the procedure.
• Occasionally, certain medications may need to be stopped.

• Angiograms (with or without balloon angioplasty/stenting) are considering outpatient procedures and patients usually go home the same day.
• After the procedure, expect 4-6 hours of bed rest to avoid bleeding at the artery access site.
• Because sedation is often utilized, you will likely not be able to drive yourself home. Be sure to arrange for transportation after the procedure.
• Once home, you should avoid heavy lifting, stooping or bending for 2 days to reduce the risk of bleeding at the arterial puncture site. Most other activities can be resumed.

• Wear clothing that will allow access to your thigh, calf, ankle and foot.
• If you have a wound or ulcer anywhere on your leg or foot, bring extra dressing supplies to dress the area after testing is completed.  Dressings that cover wounds sometimes need to be partially or completely removed.
• Let the vascular laboratory technician know if you have had any previous bypass operations, stents, or angioplasty for leg circulation.
• Testing generally lasts 10-20 minutes, depending on the number of measurements taken.

• You can resume your normal activities after testing is complete.
• The technician performing the test may be able to tell how your results compare to normal.
• Discuss with your vascular surgeon whether you need further testing or treatment.