WHAT IS A CAROTID

ANGIOGRAM?

 

A carotid angiogram is a test to

 look at the large blood vessels in

 your neck that carry blood to

your brain. These are called

the carotid arteries. A catheter is

 inserted into your groin, or possibly

 your arm. The catheter is advanced

 to visualize the aortic arch, carotid

 arteries, and smaller arteries of the

 brain. 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

CAROTID ANGIOGRAM?

 

You may need a carotid angiogram

 to help your healthcare provider

find problems in the blood vessels

 supplying your head and neck.

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 CAROTID 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 CAROTID 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

 CAROTID 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 CAROTID 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

CAROTID 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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