What is Angiography?

Related Media: Coronary Angiography

This procedure may be done to:

• Help doctors identify narrowed, enlarged, and blocked blood vessels
• Determine if there is blood leaking out of the vessels and into other parts of your body

In some cases, the doctor can treat a blocked blood vessel at this time. This would prevent the need for another procedure.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an angiography, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Allergic reaction to chemical used

• Abnormal heart beats ( Arrhythmias )

• Bleeding at point of catheter insertion

• Damage to blood vessels, which in turn can cause damage to organs and tissue

• Kidney damage from contrast material

• Infection

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Allergies, especially to x-ray dye, iodine, medicines, or certain foods including shellfish
• Kidney problems
• Diabetes
• Bleeding disorder

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following...