Before the procedure

• Tell your health care team what medicines you take and any allergies you may have.

• Tell your team if you've had a reaction to contrast dye or have had any kidney problems.

• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before surgery.

• A nurse will place an I.V. (intravenous) catheter in your vein to give fluids, and medicine to relieve pain and help you feel less anxious.

• They clean your skin and shave the area where the catheter will be inserted, if needed.

During the procedure

• You will lie on a table with a portable X-ray machine over you. The team will place a surgical drape over your body. The area where the provider chooses to insert the catheter will be cleaned. This will be either the wrist or groin.

• Your provider will place a long, thin tube (catheter) inside an artery in your groin or arm and guide it into your heart. You may feel pressure with the insertion of the catheter. A numbing medicine often is injected at the insertion site. This eases discomfort during the procedure.

• They will inject a contrast dye through the catheter into your blood vessels or heart chambers. You may feel a warm sensation or feel like you have to urinate when the contrast is injected. This is normal.

• X-rays are taken to show images of the inside of your heart and coronary arteries.

The catheter can be placed into the groin, arm, or wrist.

After the procedure

• Your care team will tell you how long to lie down and keep the insertion site still. The amount of time may depend on whether a closure device such as a stitch or collagen plug was used to close the opening made in your artery. The time you must be still may be shorter if one of these devices was used. The amount of time will also depend on if there is any bleeding at the catheter insertion site.

• If the insertion site is in your groin, you may need to lie down with your leg still for several hours. If the insertion site is in your wrist, a pressure bandage may be put on the site. Or you may have a closure device placed on the insertion site. It will be taken off when there is no sign of bleeding. If bleeding occurs, a nurse will put pressure on the area to control it.

• A nurse will check your blood pressure and the insertion site often. This is to make sure you remain stable after the procedure.

• You may be asked to drink fluid to help flush the contrast liquid out of your system.

• Have someone drive you home from the hospital.

• If your provider uses angioplasty or a stent to treat a blocked artery, you may stay the night in the hospital. If there are multiple blockages that can't be fixed with a stent or angioplasty, you may need surgery to bypass the blockages. This is called coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Your provider will explain the results of your test and what treatment options may be best for you.

• It’s normal to find a small bruise or lump at the insertion site. The lump may be the collagen plug or stitch that you feel, or a small bruise. These common side effects should disappear within a few weeks.

• You will be given instructions by your health care team on recovering from the coronary angiography. In general, don't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for several days. This gives time for the puncture site in the artery wall to heal. Try not to get the puncture site wet. Don't put it under water. Showers are OK. Don't soak in a bathtub, swimming pool, or hot tub until the skin has healed.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your provider right away if:

• You have symptoms of infection. These include pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, or drainage at the insertion site.

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider.

• There is bleeding, bruising, or a lot of swelling where the catheter was inserted.

• There is blood in your urine.

• You have black or tarry stools.

• You have any unusual bleeding.

• Your heartbeat is irregular, very slow, or fast.

• You feel dizzy.

Call 911

Call 911if:

• You have chest pain.

• You are short of breath.

• You feel sudden numbness or weakness in arms, legs, or face, or difficulty speaking.

• The puncture site swells up very fast.

• You have bleeding from the puncture site that does not slow down with firm pressure.

• You have severe or increasing pain, numbness, coldness, or a bluish color in the leg or arm that held the catheter.