Angiography is an imaging procedure to examine your blood vessels. This test can help your physician spot problems such as narrowed arteries, plaque build-up (atherosclerosis) or clots in your veins and arteries.
At the University of Miami Health System, our expert vascular surgeons use angiography to diagnose a wide range of conditions from peripheral vascular disease to carotid artery disease. With an accurate diagnosis, they can use minimally invasive procedures to improve your blood flow.
Candidates
Angiography is a very low-risk and minimally invasive procedure. Your doctor may recommend angiography if you have symptoms of poor blood flow, such as pain in the legs or chest pain.
What to Expect
Angiography uses contrast dye to help your blood vessels appear clearly on an X-ray image. You should tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking or any conditions you have in case they may interact with the contrast dye.
If you will be sedated during your angiography, you should not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before your procedure. You will also need someone to drive you home after your procedure.
During your procedure, your vascular surgeon will numb your groin before making a small incision. They will then insert a catheter (thin tube) through the incision and into the area of your body that is being examined. They will insert the contrast dye through the catheter before taking X-ray images (fluoroscopy) of your blood flowing. The video will allow your doctor to spot any areas where blood flow is blocked or slowed.
After imaging is over, your doctor will remove the catheter and close the incision with a bandage. You will be able to go home after a short recovery time of around an hour. You can return to all your normal activities the day after your angiography.
Why Choose UHealth?
Leading-edge imaging care in South Florida. Our doctors are also researchers discovering new ways to improve diagnosis and treatment. That means you can get some of today’s most promising advancements through clinical trials. You benefit from the latest developments that are fast-tracked from the lab to the bedside.
Advanced, hard-to-find procedures. Our doctors are committed to caring for every patient. That’s why they offer the latest treatments, including limb salvage, endovascular grafting and thoracic outlet decompression, to improve your blood flow.
All the care you need, from one physician. Our vascular surgeons perform a wide range of procedures so you can have the same physician for any vascular care you need as your condition changes. Whether you need a stent replaced or a vein grafted, you can always turn to the doctor you trust.
Experienced doctors, reliable results. UHealth vascular surgeons perform hundreds of stent placements, angiograms and more every year. You can rely on their experience to help you avoid complications and have a positive outcome.
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