Aortography

Aortography
OA form of angiography that

outlines the lumen of the

aorta and major arteries
from it.

OIn this procedure, a dye is

injected into the aorta. The dye

can be seen on an X-ray. This
shows how well blood is flowing
through the aorta.

Aortography can show if

there:
OAre any blockages in the

aorta.
OIs a tear in the wall of the
aorta (aortic dissection).
OIs a weak spot with widening
in the aorta (aortic
aneurysm).

RISKS AND COMLICATIONS

OBleeding.
OAn allergic reaction to the

dye or medications used.

OSwelling or bruising at the
groin insertion site.
OInfection.
OBlood clots.

BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

O Do not eat or drink 8 hours before

the procedure.
O You will need to fill out paperwork
and sign consent forms for the
procedure.

PROCEDURE
O Preparation:
O Hair will be removed from the

groin area and the site will be

cleaned with an antiseptic
solution.

PROCEDURE
O Preparation:
O Patient will be given alocal

anestheticto the groin area.

O A specialized physician (radiologist) will

insert a needle into the artery of the

groin. A thin flexible wire will be passed
through the needle. Over this wire, a
thin tube (catheter) will be inserted.
The catheter will be threaded up the
artery to the aorta. Once the catheter
is in the aorta.

PROCEDURE
O Preparation:
O Dye will be injected into the

catheter. Patient may feel some

warmth or a burning sensation
when the dye is injected.
O Once the dye is in the blood
vessels, X-ray pictures will be
taken. Patient will be asked to lie
still and to hold breath for a few
seconds for each picture.

PROCEDURE
O Preparation:
O The catheter will be removed

after the procedure. Pressure

will be applied for up to 20
minutes to close the puncture
hole made in the groin. A
bandage will be placed over
the insertion site.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

O Patient will be taken to a

recovery room area. The vital

signs and the insertion site will
be monitored.
O Patient will need to lie flat for
about 4 hours after the
procedure. Bending the leg that
has the groin insertion site can
cause bleeding.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

O If the blood pressure and heart

rate are stable and no bleeding

occurs at the insertion site,
patient may go home the same
day as the procedure.

End.
O Document Released: 05/06/2010

Document Revised: 03/11/2013

Document Reviewed: 05/06/2010
O ExitCare Patient Information
2014 ExitCare, LLC.

Coronary Arteriography

What is coronary
arteriography?
O Coronary arteriography, also known

as coronary angiography, is an
invasive procedure that involves
cardiac catheterization. It's used to
diagnose coronary artery disease.
O It is an invasive test it's often ordered
only after you've had a series on
noninvasive heart tests.

What is coronary
angiography?

O Coronary angiography is a procedure in

which a special X-ray of your hearts

arteries (the coronary arteries) is taken
to see if they are narrowed or blocked.
It is an important test, used when your
doctor suspects or knows that you
have coronary heart disease.

ODuring coronary angiography, you are

given a local anesthetic and then a

catheter (a long thin tube) is put into an
artery in your groin, or at the inside of your
elbow or near your wrist. The catheter is
moved up the inside of your artery until it
reaches your heart. A special dye is then
injected into your coronary arteries and Xrays are taken. The X-ray image (a
coronary angiogram) gives detailed
information about the state of your heart
and coronary arteries.

When is coronary angiography

required?
O you have chest pain that your doctor

suspects is caused by narrowed coronary

arteries, but he or she wants to be sure
O your doctor wants to assess the degree of
narrowing in your coronary arteries to see if
you could benefit from a procedure such as
angioplasty or bypass surgery, to relieve your
symptoms and reduce your risk of further
heart problems
O you have had a heart attackif you had
treatment to dissolve the clot blocking your
coronary artery, or you have continuing chest
pain, or the results of an exercise test
indicate the need for further investigation,
your doctor will need detailed information
about your heart and arteries.

Artery narrowed by build-up of

fatty deposits

Catheter insertion into

artery at groin

NURSING CARE OF THE CLIENT

HAVING CORONARY
ANGIOGRAPHY

O BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

O Assess the clients and familys knowledge

and understanding of the procedure.

O Provide additional information as needed.
Explain that the client will be awake during
the procedure, which takes 1 to 2 hours to
complete. A sensation of warmth (a hot
flash) and a metallic taste may occur as
the dye is injected. A rapid pulse or a few
skipped beats, also are common and
expected during the procedure.

OProvide routine preoperative care

as ordered. Although the client

remains awake, sedation may be
given. Signed consent is required,
and preprocedure fasting may be
ordered.
OAdminister ordered cardiac
medications with a small sip of
water unless contraindicated.

O Assess for hypersensitivity to iodine,

radiologic contrast media, or seafood.

Iodine or seafood allergy increases the
risk for anaphylaxis and requires an
alternative dye or special precautions.
O Record baseline assessment data,
including vital signs, height, and
weight. Mark the locations of
peripheral pulses; document their
equality and amplitude.
O Instruct to void prior to going to the
cardiac catheterization laboratory

OAFTER THE PROCEDURE

OAssess vital signs,

catheterization site for bleeding

or hematoma, peripheral pulses,
and neurovascular status every
15 minutes for first hour, every
30 minutes for the next hour,
then hourly for 4 hours or until
discharge.

O Maintain bed rest as ordered, usually

for 6 hours if the femoral artery is

used, or 2 to 3 hours if the brachial site
is used. The head of the bed may be
raised to 30 degrees.
O Keep a pressure dressing, sandbag, or
ice pack in place over the arterial
access site.
O Check frequently for bleeding Arteries
are high-pressure systems. The risk for
significant bleeding after an invasive
procedure is high.

OInstruct to avoid flexing or

hyperextending the affected

extremity for 12 to 24 hours.
OUnless contraindicated, encourage
liberal fluid intake.

OPromptly report diminished

peripheral pulses, formation of a

new hematoma or enlargement of
an existing one, severe pain at the
insertion site or in the affected
extremity, chest pain, or dyspnea.
OProvide instructions about
dressing changes, follow-up
appointments, and potential
complications prior to discharge.

O 2008 National Heart Foundation of

Australia ABN 98 008 419 761 INF-045-C