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Patient Services

Patient Prep & Instruction Manual

Updated May 2006


Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiology            3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Scheduled Test: ANGIOGRAM/VENOGRAM

 

When:_____________ Date:_____________ Time:_____________


Where: You will be told to report to one of two (2) places.
  1. Admission Center on First Floor/Silverstein, or
  2. Main Radiology Reception on Ground Floor/Dulles
When you arrive, please check in with the receptionist in that area. Your doctor or the person scheduling your appointment will tell you which place to report.
Purpose: This test provides a different and more detailed picture of arteries and/or veins than is possible with a routine x-ray.
Preparation: Angio - You must not eat any solid food after 12 AM (midnight) the night before your test.

Veno – You may have a liquid breakfast.

Medications can be taken prior to your test. If you take Heart or Blood Pressure medicine you SHOULD take them. If you take insulin or blood sugar medication, you must consult your doctor about adjusting your dose the morning of the test. A list of your medications should be brought with you.

Allergies to shellfish, iodine or x-ray dye, patients need to be pre-medicated for 24 hours prior to the exam. Notify your doctor if this pertains to you.

You will also be asked a brief health history. If you have any heart, asthma, kidney problems, sickle cell disease, or if you are or could possibly be pregnant, please let the technologist know.

Procedure: TThe procedure can take from 30 minutes to more than an hour depending on the exact test performed. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown for the procedure. This is to protect your clothing and because zippers and snaps can interfere with the study.

A nurse will start an IV in your hand or arm. This is to give you fluid, medication, sedation, or contrast (dye) during the procedure as ordered by the doctor.

During the procedure the area the doctor will be studying will be cleaned with Chlorhexadrine and covered with sterile towels. The doctor will insert a small catheter into your artery or vein and inject some contrast (dye). X-rays will be taken of the artery or vein at this time. You may feel warmth, tingling, or flushing when you are given the contrast (dye). Some patients feel the need to urinate at this time. These feelings go away quickly.

When the X-ray pictures are being taken, it is very important to remain very still and not move. Medications can be given to help you be more comfortable and relaxed during the test. Nurses, technologists, and doctors are always near by to help you with any needs you may have.
After Care: After the procedure, a doctor will take out the small catheter and pressure will be held to the site until any bleeding stops. It is very important for you to lay still at this time. After the catheter is out, you may have to lay flat for 4 to 6 hours if the catheter was in a large artery or vein in your leg. During this time, you should not bend where the catheter was administered.

If you are staying in the hospital, the Radiology nurses will monitor you for a short while, then you will be taken to your room.

You will be given a written instruction sheet to take home with you. The Doctors or Nurses will review these instructions with you. Also, you should drink plenty of fluids after the test to help your body flush the contrast (dye) out of your system, unless your doctor has limited your fluid intake.

Please call (215) 662-4034 to speak with a Radiology nurse or technologist with any questions. It is best to call between 8 A.M. and 7 P.M. Monday through Friday.

For questions or comments regarding this web site, please email radweb@uphs.upenn.edu
Website Designed and maintained by Andrea Kaldrovics
Last Updated:12/20/06 ALK