Carotid Angiogram

About the Procedure

A carotid angiogram is a diagnostic imaging technique used to examine the flow of blood through the neck. This test is useful for identifying damage to the arteries, obstructed blood flow to the brain, narrowed arteries and even tumors. Imaging is achieved by first introducing a contrast agent (usually an iodine based dye) into the blood stream and then taking an x-ray image of the target region. The contrast agent shows up clearly on an x-ray, showing the complex network of arteries and blood vessels with great detail. The resulting image can be used to diagnose a wide variety of medical conditions.

The process begins with the patient lying down on the x-ray table. A needle is stuck into a blood vessel in the patients elbow and a catheter is then fed through the needle into the blood vessel. Some patients opt for local anesthesia at the injection site. The radiologist then proceeds to guide the catheter through the blood stream until the tip of the catheter has reached the common carotid artery in the neck. Next, the contrast material is pumped through the catheter into the region to be imaged. The x-ray machine then begins snapping pictures of the neck at a rate of up to 15 shots per second. While it is snapping pictures, the patient may be directed to hold their breath to ensure minimal movement and maximum image fidelity. Once a sufficient number of clear images have been captured, the catheter is removed, the injection site is bandaged and the procedure is complete.

Angiograms are usually covered by the patient's health insurance. They take between 1-3 hours to complete and can be done on an in-patient or out-patient basis.

What to Know Before the Procedure

Be sure to be forthcoming with your doctor about any allergies you may have as well as any medical conditions you may suffer from. An allergic reaction to the contrast agent can end the procedure without any usable images, or even result in anaphylactic shock. People with kidney problems or diabetes will require some specialized treatments in order for their body to handle the procedure. Women who are pregnant would typically not have an angiogram due to the risk of exposing the developing fetus to radiation.

Patients who are scheduled for an angiogram are usually asked to refrain from taking pain medication or blood thinners for up to two days before the procedure, as well as forgo fluid intake for 8 hours prior.

What to Know After the Procedure

After the procedure, the patient is taken to a recovery room to rest for several hours and to see if any complications arise. If they are having the procedure done as an in-patient, they will stay overnight to be monitored and then released the next day.

Arrange for someone to drive you home, especially as an out-patient, as the anesthesia will have compromised your awareness and motor ability. Avoid doing anything strenuous with the arm the catheter was placed in for 48 hours.

If you develop dizziness, chest pain, blurred vision, shortness of breath or numbness in any part of your body, inform your doctor immediately as these could be signs of serious complications, some of which may require immediate action to correct.

If you Need to Travel Outside of your Local Hospital

Angiograms are fairly routine diagnostic procedures and are very safe. Due to this, and the fact that most health insurance companies cover a majority of the procedure's cost, it makes sense to have it done as locally as possible. The purpose of the test is to procure vital data that can help an expert diagnose your problem. It isn't necessary to locate a specialized doctor or facility to have the procedure done properly. Whether you happen to be on domestic or foreign soil when you decide to get tested, there will most likely be a medical facility within reasonable travel that can do it properly.