WHAT IS A RENAL ANGIOGRAM?

 

A renal angiogram is a test to

 look at the major blood vessels

 to your kidneys . These are

called the renal arteries. A

catheter is inserted into your groin,

 foot, ankle or possibly your arm.

The catheter is advanced to

visualize the renal arteries that

 branch off of the aorta. 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

RENAL ANGIOGRAM?

 

You may need a renal angiogram

 to help your healthcare provider

 find problems in the blood vessels

 supplying your kidneys. 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 renal 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 RENAL 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, medications

 or supplements that affect blood

 clotting. These may have to be

stopped prior to the procedure.

HOW DO I GET READY FOR

A RENAL 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 RENAL 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 RENAL 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 RENAL 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.

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