How long does cerebral angiogram take

Your doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic. This may briefly burn or sting before the area becomes numb. Using x-ray-guidance, a catheter a long, thin, hollow plastic tube is inserted into a blood vessel through a tiny hole made by a needle and directed to the area to be examined.

The contrast material is then injected through the catheter. A special machine, called a power injector, is used to deliver the contrast material at a precise rate and volume. The injector is attached to the catheter for this purpose.

When the contrast material reaches the blood vessels being examined, several sets of x-rays will be taken. When the procedure is complete, the doctor will remove the catheter and apply pressure to stop any bleeding. Sometimes, your doctor may use a closure device to seal the small hole in the artery. This will allow you to move around more quickly. No stitches are visible on the skin.

The nurse will cover this tiny opening in the skin with a dressing. The procedure is usually completed within one to three hours. Additional time may be required for exam preparation, setup and post-procedure care. You will feel a slight pinch when the nurse inserts the needle into your vein for the IV line and when they inject the local anesthetic.

Most of the sensation is at the skin incision site. The doctor will numb this area using local anesthetic. You may feel pressure when the doctor inserts the catheter into the vein or artery. However, you will not feel serious discomfort. If the procedure uses sedation, you will feel relaxed, sleepy, and comfortable. You may or may not remain awake, depending on how deeply you are sedated. You may feel slight pressure when the doctor inserts the catheter , but no serious discomfort.

As the contrast material passes through your body, you may feel warm. This will quickly pass. Once the procedure is complete, the catheter will be removed by the radiologist. To prevent any bleeding from the puncture site, it must be closed either by placing pressure to the site or by applying a vascular closure device which plugs the puncture site directly.

Pressure may be either applied by hand or with a special clamp which takes about 10 minutes for the tiny hole in the artery to close. If the radiologist determines that a vascular closure device can be placed, a small plug is inserted as the catheter is removed and quickly seals the puncture site, decreasing the time required for you to lie flat after the procedure.

You will remain in the recovery room for observation for a few hours following the procedure before you return home. If the catheter was placed in the groin area, you will be given specific instructions regarding how long you may need to keep your leg straight. This will vary based on the technique used to repair the hole created in order to insert the catheter. You may apply ice to the site where the catheter was inserted to relieve pain and swelling. You may resume your normal diet immediately after the exam.

You will be able to resume all other normal activities eight to 12 hours after the exam. You should report to your physician immediately if you experience any of the following after your procedure:. A radiologist, a doctor specifically trained to perform, supervise, and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images. They will send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will share the results with you.

You may need a follow-up exam. If so, your doctor will explain why. Sometimes a follow-up exam further evaluates a potential issue with more views or a special imaging technique. It may also see if there has been any change in an issue over time.

Follow-up exams are often the best way to see if treatment is working or if a problem needs attention. Doctors take special care during x-ray exams to use the lowest radiation dose possible while producing the best images for evaluation. National and international radiology protection organizations continually review and update the technique standards radiology professionals use.

Modern x-ray systems minimize stray scatter radiation by using controlled x-ray beams and dose control methods. Find a Doctor. Medications are given through an IV to calm the patient. The groin area is prepared and the surgeon numbs the region with a local anesthetic. A tiny sheath is inserted into the femoral artery where a catheter is threaded up to the brain. As with any surgical procedure, you can expect to be restricted from eating or drinking after midnight before your angiogram.

Chewing gum or a sip of coffee are not allowed. On the day of your angiogram, you can expect to spend several hours in the hospital. During this time, nurses will place an IV and attach stickers for a heart monitor. You may also have blood pressure cuffs placed on your arms. Before the procedure, your care team will come together to review all the information about your case. To begin, you will be given a sedative and local anesthetics to numb the groin area where the catheter will be inserted.

Then, a catheter is threaded through the incision and directed to the area of the brain to be examined. A contrast dye is used to guide the catheter and examine blood flow in the brain via X-ray. Once the imaging is complete, the catheter will be removed and your incision sealed. Without complications, you can expect to spend four to six hours in the hospital after the angiogram is completed.

This requires an emergency operation to reopen the blocked blood vessel. Delayed bleeding at the site of catheter insertion is very uncommon but it is the major reason that you are observed for hours after your test is completed. With interventional radiology procedures using x-rays, the level of risk depends on the type of procedure because some use very little radiation, while complex procedures use more.

Common reasons to do a cerebral angiogram include the following: show narrowing or blockages of blood vessels show abnormally dilated blood vessels show bleeding sites display atherosclerotic disease hardening of blood vessels inside the head or neck to find intracranial aneurysms abnormal outpouchings of the vessel wall or other disorders of the blood vessels inside the brain planning for a future operation to decide on the best surgical procedure allow interventional neuroradiologists to plan for future procedures Preparing for a Cerebral Angiogram Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your procedure except for small sips of water to take your pills.

Prior to the procedure, you will be asked to put on a hospital gown and remove any jewelry around your head and neck that would interfere with the x-ray beam. A small amount of blood will be drawn to make sure your kidneys are working and your blood it clotting normally.

If you are a female of child-bearing age, a blood pregnancy test will be done to make sure you are not pregnant as x-rays and x-ray dye could be harmful. You should not drive for 24 hours after the study. Prior to the procedure, you will need to give your informed consent.

This means you will speak face-to-face with the physician or physician assistant and acknowledge the potential risks and benefits of the procedure. This is also your opportunity to have any questions answered about the procedure. Your physician or PA will explain the risks of cerebral angiography in order to investigate your symptoms and plan appropriate treatment.