Patient education: Angiography – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is angiography? — 

This is a procedure to look at blood vessels in the body. There are 2 main types of blood vessels: arteries and veins. They carry blood around the body.

If the doctor is looking at veins, it is also called "venography." If they are looking at arteries, it is also called "arteriography."

The doctor might want to do angiography to:

●Check for a blood clot or other blockage

●Check for an aneurysm – This is a blood vessel that is larger than normal.

●Find the source of bleeding inside the body

For angiography, the doctor puts a thin tube, or "catheter," through the skin and into a blood vessel. They move the tube to the part of the blood vessel that is causing the problem. Then, they use the catheter to inject a special dye called "contrast" into the blood vessel. This dye shows up on X-rays, so the doctor can see if a blood vessel is blocked, damaged, or abnormal.

In some cases, the doctor will fix a problem with the blood vessel during angiography. They might dissolve a clot, use a special balloon to open up a narrowing or blockage, or put in a stent. A stent is a small tube to help the blood vessel stay open.

For some bleeding vessels, the doctor might do a procedure called "embolization." This uses coils, beads, or a special glue to help stop bleeding from injured blood vessels. Embolization can sometimes also be used to treat an aneurysm.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●Take care of your "access site" – This is where the catheter went through your skin and into the blood vessel. If the doctor made a cut in your skin, you might have stitches, skin staples, surgical glue, or a special skin tape.

•Keep the site dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep the site dry.

•Once you no longer need to keep the site dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put it underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

•After you wash your skin, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on the site. They will also tell you if you need to cover it with a bandage or gauze.

•Always wash your hands before and after you touch the access site or bandage.

●Increase your activity slowly – Start with short walks around your home, and walk a little more each day.

•Avoid heavy lifting, sports, and swimming for at least a week or 2. The doctor or nurse will also tell you when you can go back to your normal activities. This includes things like driving, work, exercise, and sex.

●Lie down if your access site starts to bleed. Put pressure on the area until bleeding stops.

●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol).

What follow-up care do I need? — 

The doctor will want to see you again after the procedure to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you think that you might be having a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of a heart attack might include:

●Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:

•Trouble breathing, sweating, upset stomach, or cold and clammy skin

•Pain in your arms, back, or jaw

•Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs

●Fast or irregular heartbeat

●Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak

Symptoms of a stroke might include:

●Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on 1 side of the body

●Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding

●Trouble seeing in 1 or both eyes

●Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

●Severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor for advice if:

●The access site bleeds a lot.

●You have pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, or redness near the access site.

●You have signs of an allergic reaction like itching, wheezing, or tongue or throat swelling.

●You have signs of infection like fever or pain with urination.

●Your leg or hand is weak or numb.

More on this topic

Patient education: Angiography (The Basics)
Patient education: Computed tomographic angiography (The Basics)
Patient education: Magnetic resonance angiography (The Basics)
Patient education: Peripheral artery disease and claudication (The Basics)
Patient education: Cardiac catheterization (The Basics)
Patient education: Stenting for the heart (The Basics)

Patient education: Peripheral artery disease and claudication (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Stenting for the heart (Beyond the Basics)