Vascular and Endovascular Surgeons Treating Peripheral Vascular Disease in Cleveland, Ohio

The contrast used is very well-tolerated in the quantities used for this test. However, if you have diminished kidney function prior to the test from Diabetes or severe hypertension, the contrast can cause a temporary or permanent reduction in you kidney function. The need for dialysis has infrequently but know to be associated with angiography. Your physician will test your kidney function by a blood test prior to the angiogram. After the test is completed, the needle and tube are removed and firm pressure is held on the spot for fifteen (15) minutes. Then you are moved back to your room or recovery area where you will be fed and monitored for four (4) hours prior to discharge. You should have someone drive you home as you will still be groggy from the sedation. Also, you will need to follow up the following week with the physician who ordered the angiogram as the films have to be studied prior to interpretation. Generally, the day after the angiogram, you should remove the band-aid from the leg area, shower, and resume all your normal activities. Any bleeding or swelling should be called to your doctor. You are responsible for being sure you are not taking Glucophage, Coumadin, or any other blood thinner for three (3) days prior to the test. Any allergies to contrast or anesthetics have to be noted by your doctor.

Angiograms are common and safe procedures, but occasionally undesirable outcomes do occur. Most are temporary or minor. The following deserve special attention.

Angiograms use a contrast material with an iodine base injected into the blood stream. Allergies to contrast can and do occur. If you have a known sensitivity to contrast, such as from a prior IVP or CT scan, notify your physician prior to the test.

To gain access to the blood stream to inject the contrast, a needle and small catheter (tube) is inserted into the artery of the upper leg. After the test is completed, the catheter is removed. Occasionally, some ecchymosis (black and blue) develops. More unusually, a small lump of blood develops under the skin. On occasion, this needs to be operated on and drained or sealed to prevent serious bleeding. More rarely, serious bleeding occurs from the artery if a break of the artery occurs. Emergent repair might be necessary in the operation room.

Complications of Angiograms