Pulmonary angiography

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Pulmonary arteries

A pulmonary angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the lungs.

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.

Pulmonary arteriography; Pulmonary angiogram; Angiogram of the lungs

This test is done in a special unit of a hospital. You will be asked to lie on an x-ray table.

• Before the test starts, you will be given a mild sedative to help you relax.
• An area of your body, usually the arm or groin, is cleaned and numbed with a local numbing medicine (anesthetic).
• The radiologist inserts a needle or makes a small cut in a vein in the area that has been cleaned, and inserts a thin hollow tube called a catheter.
• The catheter is placed through the vein and carefully moved up into and through the right-sided heart chambers and into the pulmonary artery, which leads to the lungs. The doctor can see live x-ray images of the area on a TV-like monitor, and uses them as a guide.
• Once the catheter is in place, dye is injected into the catheter. X-ray images are taken to see how the dye moves through the lungs' arteries. The dye helps detect any blockages to blood flow.

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Your pulse, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored during the procedure. Electrocardiogram (ECG) leads are taped to your arms and legs to monitor the electrical impulses of your heart.

After the x-rays are taken, the needle and catheter are 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 should be kept straight for 6 hours after the procedure.

Rarely, this technique can be used to deliver medications to the lungs when a blood clot has been found.

You should not 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 imaged.