WHAT IS A LOWER

EXTREMITY ANGIOGRAM?

 

A lower extremity angiogram is a

test to look at the major blood

vessels supplying the lower

abdomen, pelvis, and legs. A

catheter is inserted into your groin,

 foot, ankle, or possibly your arm.

The catheter is advanced to

visualize the arteries that branch

 off of the aorta and extend down

 the legs. Using contrast, the image

 will be seen on the video screen.

The doctor can see if there is any

blockage or narrowing of the artery.

WHY MIGHT I NEED A LOWER

 EXTREMITY ANGIOGRAM?

 

You may need a lower extremity

 angiogram to help your healthcare

 provider find problems in the blood

 vessels supplying your lower

abdomen, pelvis, and legs. These

 problems may include:

 

• Bulging of a blood

vessel (aneurysm)

 

• Narrowing of a blood

vessel (stenosis)

 

• Spasm of a blood

vessel (vasospasm)

 

• An abnormal connection between

 arteries and veins (arteriovenous

 malformation)

 

• Blood clot (thrombosis)

 

• Blockage (occlusion)

 

You may need a carotid angiogram

 if another test such as a CT scan

or MRI did not give your provider

 enough information. There may

be other reasons specific to your

 health indicating that this testing

 would be recommended by your

physician.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF

A LOWER EXTREMITY

ANGIOGRAM?

 

• Bleeding, swelling caused by a

 collection of blood (hematoma),

injury to nerves, or infection.

 

• Damage to an artery or an

artery wall. This can cause blood

 clots, abnormal ballooning of the

 artery, or abnormal link between

 the artery and nearby vein.

 

• Temporary kidney failure. Please

 notify your provider if you have

had recent imaging testing that

included contrast, as this would

increase your risk for kidney issues.

 

 

TELL YOUR HEALTHCARE

 PROVIDER IF YOU:

 

• Are pregnant or think you may be

 pregnant. Radiation exposure

during pregnancy may lead to

birth defects.

 

• Are allergic to or sensitive to any

 medications, contrast, latex, tape,

or anesthetic medicines (local or

 general).

 

• Have kidney failure or other

kidney problems. In some cases,

the contrast can cause kidney

failure. You are at higher risk for

this if you take certain diabetes

 medicines. You may need to hold

certain medications prior to the

 procedure.

 

• Are taking any medication that

 include prescriptions, over-the-

counter, and herbal supplements.

 

• Have a bleeding disorder or take

 blood thinners, aspirin or

medications or supplements that

 affect blood clotting. These may

have to be stopped prior to the

 procedure.

HOW DO I GET READY FOR

 A LOWER EXTREMITY

ANGIOGRAM?

 

• You will need to have blood work

 prior to your procedure. You should

 receive an order from your

physician.

 

• You will be asked not to eat after

 midnight prior to the procedure.

You may have clear liquids 2

hours before your arrival time.

 

• Bring your insurance card and

picture ID with you to the

appointment. You may bring an

adult guest with you.

 

• You will need a driver to your

 appointment. If you need

transportation, please let the

office know so that we can

arrange it for you.

WHAT HAPPENS PRIOR

TO A LOWER EXTREMITY

 ANGIOGRAM?

 

• You will read and sign your

consent that gives your

permission for the procedure to be

 performed. You will have the

opportunity to ask your provider

 questions and have anything

explained that you do not

understand.

 

• You will be asked to remove any

 clothing or jewelry that may get

in the way of the test. You will be

 given a gown to wear. You will

be asked to empty your bladder

 prior to the test.

 

• An intravenous (IV) line will be

 started in your hand or arm. You

 will be connected to a monitor

 that records your heart rate,

blood pressure, and breathing.

 

• You may get medication to

help you relax before the

procedure.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING

A LOWER EXTREMITY

ANGIOGRAM?

 

• The skin in your groin will be

 shaved and cleansed. Your ankle

 and foot or arm may be cleansed

 and prepared in certain cases. The

 skin will be injected with a local

 pain medication to numb the area.

 A needle will be inserted into the

 artery. A catheter will be placed in

 the artery and advanced for

imaging. Fluoroscopy is used to see

 the catheter. When contrast is

injected, you may feel a warm,

flushing sensation, salty or metallic

 taste, a brief headache, or nausea.

 These effects usually last for a few moments.

 

• A Certified Sedation nurse

monitors you 1-on-1 during your

 procedure.  You will receive

anesthesia that allows for

conscious sedation. The medication

 will make you feel very relaxed and

 alleviate any pain. You may drift

 to sleep. You will not be intubated

 and can breathe comfortably and

 unassisted. Supplemental oxygen

 is used during anesthesia.

 

• Tell the physician or nurse if you

 experience any trouble breathing,

 sweating, numbness, or heart

 palpitations.

 

• If it is determined that an

intervention is needed and can

be done at that time, (atherectomy,

 percutaneous balloon, or stenting)

 it can be done during the

procedure. These procedures are

 included in the consent form as

 treatment possibilities.

 

• Once the procedure is completed,

 the physician will remove the

catheter. Pressure will be applied

 to the site to keep it from bleeding.

 A closure device or continued

manual pressure may be used to

close the puncture site. After the

 bleeding stops, a dressing will be

 applied on the site.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A

LOWER EXTREMITY

ANGIOGRAM?

 

• You will be taken to the

recovery room. A nurse will watch

 your vital signs and the access

site(s). They will check the

circulation and sensation in

your extremities.

 

• Depending on the closure

device used, you will be

discharged after a period of rest

 and no signs of bleeding.

 

• You will be encouraged to drink

 water and fluids to help flush the

 contrast from your body.

 

• You will receive written discharge

 instructions about returning to

your daily activities and how to

care for your bandage and

incision site.

AT HOME

 

• Once home, you should watch the

 injection site for bleeding. A small

 bruise is normal. So is an

occasional drop of blood at the site.

 

• You should watch your arm or leg

 for changes in temperature, color,

 pain, numbness, tingling, or loss

of movement.

 

• Drink plenty of fluids to help the

 contrast leave your body. You may

 not be able to do any strenuous

 activities or take a bath or shower

 for a period of time after the

procedure.

FOLLOW US