Information for Consumers - Angiography (Angiogram)

This article tells you about an angiogram, the benefits and the risks, what happens before, during and after having an angiogram.

What is an angiogram?

An angiogram uses X-rays and a special dye (contrast) to take pictures of the arteries in your brain, heart, and kidneys.

The dye is injected into a small tube or catheter into an artery in your groin or (sometimes) your arm. The small tube is inserted after an injection of local anaesthetic around the artery. Sometimes intravenous sedation is given. After the dye is injected, pictures are taken using an X-ray machine.

Benefits associated with an angiogram

Used for diagnosis to show very detailed pictures of the arteries inside your brain, heart and kidneys
Can be used to show blockages in your arteries

Risks associated with an angiogram

Your doctor knows the risks of having an angiogram. Your doctor will consider the risks before recommending you to have an angiogram. Possible risks are:

Often not recommended in early pregnancy
Small amount of radiation. The amount of radiation you are exposed to depends on the number of pictures taken and the part of the body being examined
Extremely small chance you could develop cancer in the long term from the radiation
If you are taking some medications. These include anticoagulants (blood thinning medications) and diabetic medication
If you have a known kidney disease
An allergic reaction from the dye. You may have nausea, sneezing, vomiting, itching, hives and dizziness. More serious reactions can occur, but are very rare
Infection, bleeding or injury at the site of an injection
Blood clot in the wall of the blood vessel or a weakness of the blood vessel wall that may need treatment

If you are at all concerned regarding the risks, talk to your doctor before the examination.

Preparation for an angiogram

You will usually be admitted to hospital as a day patient for this procedure.

Bring your referral letter or request form and all X-rays taken in the last 2 years with you
Leave the X-rays with the radiology staff as the doctor may need to look at them. The radiology staff will tell you when these are ready to be picked up
Wear comfortable, loose clothing
Leave all jewellery and valuables at home
You may be asked not to eat for four hours before the angiogram
You will be allowed to drink clear fluids such as black tea, coffee, clear soup or water during the four hours before the Angiogram. It is important for your kidneys to have fluids

Important to tell your doctor before the scan

If you are or may be pregnant
If you have any allergies and medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or thyroid problems
About any medications you are taking

Just before the angiogram

You may be given a gown to wear
You may be asked to remove any metal objects
You will need to have a needle put into the back of your hand if you are having sedation during the procedure

Consent

You have the right to refuse an examination and may do so if you wish. You may be asked to complete a consent form.

What happens during an angiogram?

You will be asked to lie flat on your back on the X-ray bed. Staff will place sterile drapes over you.

Staff will put a small tube or catheter into an artery in your arm or groin and inject the dye into it.

Possible side effects of 'dye':

You may feel a slight coolness and a flushing for a few seconds
Part of your body may feel warm. If this bothers you, tell the staff

Once you are ready, the X-ray staff will go behind a screen or into the next room to start the X-ray machine. They will ask you to be still, and may ask you to take a deep breath and hold your breath during the X-rays.

When your X-ray is finished you will be asked to wait while the X-ray staff check the pictures, as you may need another X-ray.

The test including getting you ready usually takes between 30 minutes to one hour.

When will I get the results?

The amount of time it takes for you to get your results will differ depending on where you get your scans done. The radiology doctor will look at the pictures and write a report. The pictures may be on films or on a CD.

Ask whether you should wait to take the pictures and report with you, or whether they will be sent to your doctor.

Your doctor will need to discuss the report with you. You will need to make an appointment to do this.

After the procedure

After the procedure staff will check your groin or arm, and your pulse and blood pressure for 4 to 6 hours. You may need to stay in hospital over night and will usually need to rest for 24 hours before returning to normal activities.

Staff will need to take out the needle if it is still in your groin or arm
Staff will give you any special instructions
The dye will pass out of your body in your urine. You will not notice it as it is colourless
Drink plenty of fluid to help get rid of the dye

If you had a sedative

You must not drive a car or take public transport and must have someone with you for 24 hours afterwards
You must not operate machinery for the rest of the day

Costs

For an Australian patient in a Public Hospital in Western Australia

Public patient - no cost to you unless advised otherwise
Private patient - costs can be claimed through Medicare and your health insurance provider

For a patient in a Private Hospital or Private Imaging Site in Western Australia or a patient outside Western Australia

Ask your doctor or the staff where you are having your test done what the cost will be

Further information

For more detailed information please access angiography from InsideRadiology at: www.insideradiology.com.au

This is a resource produced especially for consumers by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists: www.ranzcr.edu.au

A guide to gathering information that you may need for making informed decisions is published by the Consumers' Health Council of Australia at: https://chf.org.au

If you would like to look at another relevant article, please access the following:

Or access the Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website at: radiologyacrossborders.org/diagnostic_imaging_pathways/consumer-info

Or if you have questions or require any further information please contact your doctor or speak to the staff where you are going to have your procedure.

References

Angiography: www.radiologyinfo.org

Consumer participation

This information has been reviewed by representatives from the following groups:

Aboriginal people
People with disabilities
Seniors
CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse)
The Health Consumers' Council

Feedback

All feedback, comments and suggestions regarding consumer information at Diagnostic Imaging Pathways are welcome. Please direct them to the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Disclaimer

This article is intended as general information only. The Department of Health cannot accept any legal liability arising from its use. The information is kept as up-to-date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that it is always subject to change