Definition of Aortic angiography:

Aortic angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye and x-rays to see how blood flows through the aorta, the major artery leading out of the heart, and through your abdomen or belly.

Angiography is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

How the test is performed:

This test is done in a special unit of the hospital. Before the test starts, you will be given a mild sedative to help you relax.

• An area of your body, usually in your arm or groin area, is cleaned and numbed with a local numbing medicine (anesthetic).
• A radiologist or cardiologist will place a needle into the groin blood vessel. A guidewire and a long tube (catheter) will be passed through this needle.
• The catheter is carefully moved into the aorta. The doctor can see live images of the aorta on a TV-like monitor, and x-rays are used to guide the catheter to the correct position.
• Once the catheter is in place, dye is injected into it. X-ray images are taken to see how the dye moves through the aorta. The dye helps detect any blockages in blood flow.

After the x-rays or treatments are finished, the catheter is removed. Pressure is immediately applied to the puncture site for 20 - 45 minutes to stop the bleeding. After that time, the area is checked and a tight bandage is applied. The leg is usually kept straight for another 6 hours after the procedure.

How to prepare for the test:

You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for 6-8 hours before the test.

You will be asked to wear a hospital gown and sign a consent form for the procedure. Remove jewelry from the area being studied.

Tell your health care provider:

• If you are pregnant
• If you have ever had any allergic reactions to x-ray contrast material or iodine substances
• If you are allergic to any medications
• Which medications you are taking (including any herbal preparations)
• If you have ever had any bleeding problems

How the test will feel:

You will be awake during the test. You may feel a sting as the numbing medicine is given and some pressure as the catheter is inserted. You may feel a warm flushing when the contrast dye flows through the catheter. This is normal and usually goes away within a few seconds.

You may have some discomfort from lying on the hospital table and staying still for a long time.

Generally, you can resume normal activity the day after the procedure.

Why the test is performed:

Your doctor may order this test if there are signs or symptoms of a problem with the aorta or its branches, including:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
  • Congenital (present from birth) problems
  • AV malformations
  • Double aortic arch
  • Coarctation of the aorta
  • Vascular ring
• Injury to the aorta
• Takayasu arteritis

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results may be due to:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Aortic regurgitation
• Aortic stenosis
• Congenital (present from birth) problems
  • Double aortic arch
  • Coarction of the aorta
  • Vascular ring
• Injury to the aorta
• Mesenteric ischemia
• Peripheral artery disease
• Renal artery stenosis
• Takayasu arteritis

What the risks are:

Risks of aortic angiography include:

• Allergic reaction to the contrast dye
• Blockage of the artery
• Blood clot that travels to the lungs
• Bruising at the site of catheter insertion
• Damage to the blood vessel where the needle and catheter are inserted
• Excessive bleeding or a blood clot where the catheter is inserted, which can reduce blood flow to the leg
• Heart attack orstroke
• Hematoma -- a collection of blood at the site of the needle puncture
• Infection
• Injury to the nerves at the needle puncture site
• Kidney damage from the dye

Special considerations:

This procedure may be combined with left heart catheterization to look for coronary artery disease.

Aortic angiography has been mostly replaced by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography.