Official Website of PENN Radiology

Patient Services

Patient Prep & Instruction Manual

Updated November 2007

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

Scheduled Test: Neuroradiology Angiogram (Arteriogram)

When:_____________

Date:_____________

Time:_____________

Where:	Report to the Admissions Department on 1 Silverstein at (Time:)________. From there you will be sent to the Radiology Reception Area on the Ground Floor of the Dulles building
Purpose:	An Angiogram is a diagnostic procedure used to look at the blood vessels in order to identify any abnormalities.
Preparation:	The afternoon or evening prior to your procedure day, a doctor or nurse practitioner from the Neuroradiology department will telephone you to explain the test to you, go over your medical history, go over the medications you take, and will tell you when to stop eating and drinking (usually at midnight). If you wish to speak to someone earlier please call 215-662-3572 and leave a number you can be reached at. Be sure to tell the doctor about any allergies you may have, especially to contrast dye or shellfish, or if you are diabetic. Occasionally, the time of your procedure may change; the doctor will let you know what time you should arrive at the hospital.
Procedure:	The procedure takes about one to three hours. When you get to the Neuroradiology Department the doctor will go over the consent form with you and answer any questions you may have. You’ll then change into a hospital gown prior to the procedure. Please leave all your jewelry at home with the exception of wedding bands and rings which need not be removed. You will lie on your back on the exam table and the nurse will start an IV and hook you up to monitoring equipment. You will receive sedation through your IV to help you relax during the procedure. The radiologist will begin the test by injecting your groin with local anesthetic to make the area numb. Next, a needle will be placed into the femoral artery in your groin. A small wire is placed through the needle and the needle removed, then a plastic tube (catheter) is placed over the wire and the wire is removed leaving the plastic tube in place. The tube is moved from vessel to vessel and x-ray pictures are taken of the arteries your doctor wants examined. You won’t feel the catheter being moved but will feel little heat flashes when the radiologists administers the contrast. This only lasts a few seconds. After the x-rays are taken, the Radiologist will remove the catheter from your groin. Pressure will be applied at the site for about twenty minutes to prevent any bleeding or swelling.
After Care:	When the angiogram is completed you will be transported to your room or recovery area on a stretcher. You will remain flat in bed up to 6 hours with the affected leg straight. Your temperature, pulses, blood pressure and puncture site will be checked frequently by your nurse. You may resume your normal diet. Fluids will be encouraged so that the x-ray contrast used during the study will be flushed out of your system. You will not be able to get out of bed for up to 6 hours after the test to use the bathroom so your nurse will have you use a urinal or bedpan during this time After you are able to get out of bed, you should take it easy for the rest of the day. If you are going home the same day, you must have a responsible person drive you home. You may not drive yourself. You should also have someone stay with you overnight for precautionary measures. You will be requested to follow-up by phone with the Nurse Practitioner the following day of the procedure. If you have any additional questions the day following the procedure please call the Nurse Practitioner’s office number (215-662-3572) and leave a detailed message with a contact number so she may return your call as soon as possible. Please call (215) 662-3064 to speak with a technologist or nurse practitioner if you have any questions regarding this exam.

For questions or comments regarding this web site, please email radweb@uphs.upenn.edu
Website Designed and maintained by Andrea Kaldrovics
Last Updated:12/6/07 ALK