These specialized x-ray exam procedures use the injection of contrast dye to increase the visibility of blood flow to identify abnormalities. Angiography looks at the arterial blood vessels while venography tracks blood flow through the veins.

Catheter angiography images arterial blood vessels to determine if they are diseased, narrowed, enlarged or blocked altogether. The most common arteries examined are those found in the legs, neck, abdomen and head.

Venography images a particular set of veins in the body to detect blockages, a narrowing of the veins or the presence of blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, arms or pelvis. It is also used to guide the placement of a filter to prevent clots from going into the lungs and to place a stent to widely open a vein. Additionally, venography is used to draw blood samples around an organ such as the kidneys or to guide the placement of a special intravenous line used for long term medication or fluid treatment.

In both angiography and venography, the interventional radiologist guides a catheter through a small nick in the skin into the artery or vein leading to the body area of interest. A small amount of a contrast agent is injected through the catheter to make the blood vessels more visible on x-ray.

Angiography & Venography Guidelines

When Your Procedure Is Scheduled

• Our scheduler will give you a date and time for your procedure at Overlake Hospital Medical Center. You will need to arrive at the hospital two hours before the procedure to allow the admitting and nursing staffs to get you ready.
• Please let the scheduler know if you take Coumadin, Plavix, Insulin or Metformin. You will need to receive specialized instructions.
• Please notify us if you’ve had a previous reaction to contrast dye.
• If you have any questions regarding your procedure, you may call us at 425-688-5507.
• The admitting department will attempt to call you the night before your procedure to confirm your arrival time.
• Please plan to leave any jewelry or valuables at home.
• Make sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.

Preparation

• Do not eat or drink for four hours before your exam.
• Please take your normal heart and blood pressure medications with a sip of water.
• You need to be at the hospital’s admitting area two hours before you procedure’s scheduled start time. This is located at the large desk at the hospital’s main entrance (across from Stanza’s Café).
• You will be taken down to your room where you will meet your nurse. You will be asked to change into a patient gown. An IV will be started and blood drawn for lab tests. The nurse will ask you for your medical history. If possible, bring a list of all the medications you take and when you take them.
• The nurse will also ask you about allergies. If you are allergic to radiology/contrast dye please let them know.
• If there is a possibility that you’re pregnant, please let the nurse know. You will be asked to sign a form if you are a female of childbearing age (12-57).
• The nurse or tech will clean and shave, as necessary, an area around the catheter’s point of entry. For an angiogram, this includes both sides of the groin for access to the femoral artery. Depending on the type of venogram, the puncture site may be on the foot, arm, hand or groin.
• Before the procedure, the interventional nurse will meet with you and your family to review the procedure and answer any questions you might have.

What to Expect During the Procedure

• The procedure takes from 1-3 hours. You will meet the interventional radiologist who will go over the consent form and answer any questions you might still have.
• You will receive sedation medication during the procedure to help you relax.
• During the procedure you might feel warmth, tingling or flushing when you are given the contrast dye. This usually lasts about 10 seconds. During the procedure the nurse will be monitoring your heart, blood pressure and the oxygen level in your blood.
• Once the procedure is over you will be transferred back to your room.
• If you had an angiogram, the small catheter may still be in place in the artery in your groin.
• If you had a venogram, the small catheter may still be in place in the vein at the puncture site on your foot, hand, arm or groin.

What to Expect After the Procedure

• If you had an angiogram, the nurse or tech will remove the small catheter and hold pressure for at least 15 minutes. You will be told to lie flat for up to 6 hours and to keep your leg straight. This is to prevent any bleeding or swelling.
• If you had a venogram and the catheter in your vein hasn’t been removed, the nurse or tech will remove it and hold pressure for at least 10-15 minutes. You will be told to lie flat for up to 1-2 hours and to keep your leg or arm straight, depending on the puncture site. This is to prevent any bleeding or swelling.
• Your blood pressure, pulse and puncture site will be monitored very frequently by the nurse.
• You will be encouraged to drink a lot of fluids to help wash the contrast out of your system. You will need to continue to drink fluids for the first 24 hours after your procedure, unless your physician has limited your fluid intake.
• Most patients will be discharged about 6 hours after their procedure.
• You will be given written instructions and a phone number to call if you have any questions or concerns.
• One of the interventional nurses will do a follow-up call the next week-day after your discharge. Write down any questions you might have for them.
• To speak to an interventional nurse, please call 425-688-5005. It is best to call between 8AM and 4PM Monday thru Friday. You can leave a message on the voicemail, and a nurse will return your call as soon as possible.
• If you are on Coumadin and have been told not to take it before your procedure, you need to check with your physician, and/or the Anti-Coagulation Clinic for instructions.
• If you are on Metformin/Glucophage, withhold taking it for 48 hours post procedure. Check with the physician who ordered the medication on when to restart it. Additional blood work may be required.
• If you an insulin-dependent diabetic, restart your regular dosing when you get home. Check your sugar regularly and if you have a concern, contact your diabetic doctor.
• You may resume taking all of your normal medications once you are home.