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Angiography or interventional procedures are radiographic
studies of the blood vessels. The blood vessels will be visualized with
the help of contrast media. This contrast media is injected through a
catheter at or near the region of interest, where it will outline the
vessels of interest for the doctors. All patients are required to sign a
consent form prior to the exam.
Preparations /
Instructions
The procedure
After Care
Available Techniques
Contrast Media
Availability of low-osmolar, non ionic contrast media
(for hyperallergic and sensitive patients), as well as the normal ionic
contrast media.
Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia, local or general, may be available upon
request. For children or irritable patients, anaesthesia will be
inevitable.
When you were referred by your physician for a
radiological exam, you may have been told about certain instructions to
be done prior to the exam, or when you were scheduling your appointment,
the scheduler should have informed you about the preparations that
should be done prior to your exam. If you did not or if you want a
recheck, you can refer to the information listed below.
Keep in mind that you may have been given some additional
or different instructions, based on your own particular circumstances.
If you have any questions, please call hotline 16171 or (202) 3336-3310
(Mohandeseen), (202) 2417 5556 (Heliopolis) or (202) 2528 4888 (Maadi).
Instructions
You must not eat any solid food after 12 a.m. (midnight)
the night before your test. You may have clear liquids at home on the
morning of your test. Clear liquids include water, juice, Sprite and
coffee or tea without milk. Nothing is to be taken by mouth 4 hours
before coming to the center.
Medications can be taken prior to your test. If you take
heart or blood pressure medicine you SHOULD take them. If you take
insulin or blood sugar medication, you must consult your doctor about
adjusting your dose the morning of the test. A list of your medications
should be brought with you.
If you are asthmatic, allergic to any type of food,
iodine or x-ray dye, you will need to be premedicated prior to the exam
and usually will need a special low-osmolar non-ionic contrast media for
your examination. Notify the radiologist in charge or your procedure if
this pertains to you.
You will also be asked a brief health history. If you
have any heart, asthma, kidney problems, sickle cell disease, or if you
are or could possibly be pregnant, please let the radiologist know.
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You will be kindly requested to sign a written consent
about the possible complications that may occur during or as a result of
the procedure prior to your examination.
The procedure can take from one to three hours depending on the exact
test performed.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown for the
procedure. This is to protect your clothing and because zippers and
snaps can interfere with the study.
A nurse may start an IV in your hand or arm. This is to
give you fluid, medication or sedation during the procedure as ordered
by the doctor.
During the procedure an area will be cleaned with
betadine and covered with sterile towels and drapes. The doctor will
insert a small catheter into your artery or vein and inject some
contrast (dye). X-rays will be taken of the artery or vein at this time.
You may feel warmth, tingling, or flushing when you are given the
contrast (dye). Some patients feel the need to urinate at this time.
These feelings go away quickly.
When the X-ray pictures are being taken, it is very
important to remain very still and not move. Medications can be given to
help you be more comfortable and relaxed during the test. Nurses,
technologists, and doctors are always nearby to help you with any needs
you may have.
After the procedure, the small catheter will be taken out
by a doctor and pressure will be held to the site until any bleeding
stops. It is very important for you to lay still at this time. After the
catheter is out, you may have to lay flat for four to six hours if the
catheter was in a large artery or vein in your leg. During this time,
you should not bend where the catheter was.
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After care intensive care units for post-angiography
observation are available if needed, the nurses will monitor you for a
short while before you are discharged.
It is very important to remember that you must have someone to go home
with you after the procedure.
You will be given a written instruction sheet to take
home with you. The doctors or nurses will review these instructions with
you. Also you should drink plenty of fluids after the test to help your
body flush the contrast (dye) out of your system, unless your doctor has
limited your fluid intake.
Please call our hotline 16171 or (202) 3336-3310 (Mohandeseen),
(202) 2417 5556 (Heliopolis) or (202) 2528 4888 (Maadi) to speak with a
radiologist if you have any questions. It is best to call between 10
a.m. and 10 p.m., Saturday through Thursday.
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