A Word About Arteriograms (Cerebral Angiography)

Before the procedure.
Your doctor may send you to the laboratory for blood tests. After midnight you may not eat or drink anything except small sips of water. You should take your routine medications. Your doctor may have you stop any blood thinning medications prior to the procedure. Always consult your physician before stopping any medications. If you require insulin, contact your physician.

What Happens During the Procedure.

• A small IV will be started in which you may receive a mild sedative. (If you are having your arteriogram on your head and neck vessels a sedative will not be given.) Monitoring electrodes may be placed on your chest.
• Your groin will be shaved and cleaned with antiseptic soap.
• Because the procedure is sterile, sterile towels will be placed over you as if you were having an operation.
• A large X-Ray camera will be positioned over your body to take pictures.
• A local anesthetic will be injected into the groin. It feels like a bee sting.
• A catheter (a plastic tube about the size of a piece of spaghetti) will then be inserted and placed in a location to take picture of the blood vessels your doctor wants to see.
• Contrast (sometimes called x-ray dye) is injected through the catheter to see the vessel. the contrast may make you feel a "hot flash" for 15-30 seconds. This is normal.
• After the pictures are taken, the catheter will be left in place until the pictures are developed and checked. This process takes 15-20 minutes.
• When the injections and pictures are completed, you will be taken off the x-ray table and put onto a stretcher. The catheter will be pulled and firm pressure applied to the groin site.
• You doctor will have a report available within 12-24 hours after the exam.

After The Exam

• You will return to your hospital room and remain on bedrest from 6-8 hour.
• Nurses will be monitoring your blood pressure and catheter insertion site while on bedrest.
• A radiologist will see you before dismissal.
• You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you through the night.
• Should a problem occur during your bedrest, your doctor may want you to spend the night.

What To Do When You Get Home

• No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 24 hours after the exam.
• Resume your normal diet and drink plenty of fluids.
• If any problems or questions arise, call the office.