Test Overview

An angiogram of the lung is an X-ray test that uses a special dye and imaging (fluoroscopy) to take pictures of the blood flow in the blood vessels of the lung.

During an angiogram, a thin tube called a catheter is placed into a femoral blood vessel in the groin or a vessel in the arm. The catheter is guided to the area to be studied. Then (contrast material) is injected into the vessel to make the area show clearly on the X-ray pictures.

A lung (pulmonary) angiogram is used to check the arteries that lead to the lungs (pulmonary arteries) and the blood vessels in the lungs. It can also find narrowing or a blockage in a blood vessel that slows or stops blood flow.

Why It Is Done

A lung angiogram may be done to measure the pressure in the blood vessels carrying blood to the lungs, to look for lung problems, or to find other causes of blockage or narrowing of the vessels.

How To Prepare

Do not eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours before the angiogram. You may be asked to not take aspirin, aspirin products, or blood thinners for several days before the test and for 1 day after the test. If you take these medicines, talk with your doctor.

This test can be done as an inpatient or outpatient. If you are an outpatient, you will stay in a recovery room for several hours before you go home. You may want to bring something to do or read to pass the time. Arrange to have someone take you home because you may get a sedative before the test. If you stay overnight in the hospital, you will probably go home the next day.

The test may take several hours, so you will empty your bladder just before it starts.

Before the angiogram you may have other blood tests, such as blood clotting (coagulation) studies, and creatinine.

How It Is Done

An angiogram can be done by different types of doctors, including a radiologist, cardiologist, or surgeon. Your doctor may be helped by a radiology technologist or a nurse.

You will need to take off any jewellery. You may need to take off all or most of your clothes. You will be given a gown to wear during the test.

During the test

You will have an intravenous (IV) line in a vein in your arm so your doctor can give you medicine or fluids if needed. A device called a pulse oximeter, which measures oxygen levels in your blood, may be clipped to your finger or ear. Small pads or patches (electrodes) are placed on your arms, chest, or legs to record your heart rate and rhythm.

You will lie on your back on an X-ray table. Your healthcare team will do their best to make you comfortable.

The place where the catheter will be inserted (in the groin) will be shaved and cleaned. Your doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic. Then they will put a needle into the blood vessel. A guide wire will be put through the needle into the blood vessel and the needle will be removed. The catheter will be placed over the guide wire and moved into the blood vessel. The catheter will be guided through the blood vessels until the tip is in the area to be studied. Your doctor will use the fluoroscope to watch the movement of the catheter in the blood vessels.

When the catheter is in place, the dye is injected through it. You may be asked to take a breath and hold it for several seconds. Imaging will be obtained and available right away for your doctor to look at. You need to lie very still so the pictures are clear. Sometimes only one lung is studied, or the process may be repeated more than once for each lung.

An angiogram takes 1 to 3 hours.

After the test

The catheter is taken out after the angiogram, and pressure is put on the site for about 20 minutes to stop any bleeding. You will be given pain medicine if you need it.

If the catheter was put in your groin, you will need to lie still and keep your leg straight for several hours. If the catheter was put in your arm, you may be able to sit up and get out of bed right away, as directed by your healthcare team. But you will need to keep your arm still for at least 1 hour.

The place in your hands and feet where your heartbeat (peripheral pulse) can be felt may be marked with a pen. Your pulse will be checked before and after the angiogram.

How It Feels

You may feel a brief sting or pinch from the numbing medicine. Most people do not have pain when the catheter is in the blood vessel.

You may feel pressure in the blood vessel as the catheter is moved. Let your doctor know if you are having pain.

You will probably feel some warmth when the dye is put in. This feeling lasts only a few seconds. For some people, the feeling of heat is strong and for others it is very mild.

You may feel a need to cough but try to keep holding your breath until you are told to breathe.

You may have a headache, flushing of the face, or a salty or metallic taste in your mouth after the dye is used. These feelings do not last long. Some people may feel sick to their stomach, but this is not common.

After the test, you may have some tenderness and bruising at the site where the catheter was inserted.

You can drink extra fluids to pass the dye from your body unless your doctor has told you not to.

Risks

The chance of any major problem from an angiogram is very small, but some problems can occur. In most cases the problems occur within 2 hours after the test when you are in the recovery room. If the problem occurs during the angiogram, the test may not be completed. You may need urgent treatment that could include surgery.

• There is a chance of an allergic reaction to the dye. The reaction can be mild (itching, rash) or severe (trouble breathing or sudden shock). Most reactions can be treated with medicines. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have hay fever, asthma, or iodine allergy or food allergies.
• Bleeding from the site may occur. Also, a blood clot can form where the catheter was inserted. This may cause some blockage of the blood flow from the arm or leg.
• The dye used for the test can cause direct damage to the kidneys especially if you already have pre-existing kidney problems or diabetes. Special measures are used during the test to prevent problems for people who need an angiogram and have these conditions.
• There is always a small chance of damage to cells or tissue from being exposed to any radiation, even the low level used for this test.

Results

Your doctor may tell you some results right after the test. Full results are usually available within 3 to 5 business days.