In addition to CAT scans and doppler ultrasounds, vascular surgery patients often require arteriograms, also known as angiograms, to accurately plan their intervention.  This can generally be accomplished in our dedicated outpatient setting using sedation and local anesthesia.  A catheter is introduced into a peripheral vessel, usually in the groin, and can be advanced under x-ray guidance to a variety of locations to allow detailed imaging of the blood vessels.  These images become a permanent record and can be used to plan future surgery.  Some blockages are best treated by inflating a specialized balloon (angioplasty) or placing a metallic stent.  This can often be accomplished during the same procedure.

Patients having an arteriogram need someone to drive to and from the procedure and should not eat for the proceeding 8 hours.  Depending on the procedure, some patients may go home promptly afterwards, others may be required to remain in a specialized recovery area for several hours.  Most patients are back to full normal activity within 48 hours.

After an arteriogram, patients can expect minor soreness at the catheter site, and occasionally some bruising.  Complications are rare, but can include reactions to the contrast dye, bleeding at the catheter site, or injury to the access or target vessel.  You should inform your physician is you have an allergy to shellfish or kidney problems. 

For more indepth information related to arterial disease please visit the following links:

http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/index.html

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4692