Cerebral Angiogram

You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, hairpins, dentures, or other objects that may get in the way of the procedure.

If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.

You will be reminded to empty your bladder before starting the procedure, which can take up to 3 hours.

You will be positioned on the X-ray table.

You will be connected to an electrocardiogram monitor that records the electrical activity of your heart. Your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and nervous system will be watched during the procedure. You will have an IV (intravenous) line put in to give you the sedative medicine.

A thin, soft tube (catheter) will be put into an artery in either your neck, arm, or groin. This is done after the skin is cleaned, you are given numbing medicine (local anesthetic), and a small cut (incision) is made.

The radiologist will check your pulses below the site if the catheter will be put into an artery in your groin or arm. They will mark them with a marker so that the circulation to the limb below the site can be checked after the procedure. In some cases, the catheter is put into an artery in your neck. If the neck is used, a pillow will be placed under your shoulders to keep your neck extended. Your head will be held in place with a strap or tape to prevent the risk of damage to the artery that might happen if you move your head. The site may be shaved before insertion of the catheter if the groin or arm is used

Once the catheter is put into the artery, it’s threaded through to an artery in the neck. A special type of X-ray (fluoroscopy) will be used to check where the catheter is inside your body.

You will be given an injection of contrast dye. The contrast dye makes the blood vessels show up on the X-ray image. This allows the healthcare provider to better see the structure of the vessel or vessels. You may feel some effects when the dye is injected into the catheter. These effects include a flushing sensation, a salty or metallic taste in your mouth, a brief headache, or nausea or vomiting. These effects usually only last for a few moments.

Tell the radiologist right away if you have any breathing difficulties, sweating, numbness, or heart palpitations.

A series of X-rays will be taken after the contrast dye is injected. The first series of X-rays shows the arteries, and the second series shows capillary and vein blood flow.

Depending on the study being done, you may have one or more injections of contrast dye.

The catheter will be removed when the test is done. Pressure will be applied over the area. Or a plug-like device will be used to keep the artery from bleeding.

After the site stops bleeding, a dressing will be applied to the site. A sandbag or other heavy item may be placed over the site. This is done to prevent further bleeding or the formation of a hematoma at the site.