Pulmonary angiography

This test is done at 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, most often the arm or groin, is cleaned and numbed with a local numbing medicine (anesthetic). The radiologist inserts a needle or makes a…

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 6 to 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. Tell your health care provider: If you are pregnant If you have ever had any allergic reactions to x-ray…

The x-ray table may feel cold. Ask for a blanket or pillow if you are uncomfortable. You may feel a brief sting when the numbing medicine is given and a brief, sharp, stick as the catheter is inserted. You may feel some pressure as the catheter moves up into the lungs. The contrast dye can cause a feeling of warmth…

The test is most often used to detect blood clots ( pulmonary embolism ) and other blockages in the blood flow in the lung. Most of the time, your provider will have tried other tests to diagnose a blood clot in the lungs. Pulmonary angiography may also be used to help diagnose: AV malformations of the lung Congenital…

The x-ray will show normal structures for the age of the person.

Abnormal results may be due to: Aneurysms of pulmonary vessels Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) Narrowed blood vessel Primary pulmonary hypertension Tumor in the lung

A person may develop an abnormal heart rhythm during this test. The health care team will monitor your heart and can treat any abnormal rhythms that develop. Other risks include: Allergic reaction to the contrast dye Damage to the blood vessel as the needle and catheter are inserted Blood clot traveling to the lungs,…

Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the chest has largely replaced this test.

Hartman IJC, Screaton NJ. Pulmonary circulation and pulmonary thromboembolism. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16. Nazeef M, Sheehan JP. Venous thromboembolism. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, Heidelbaugh…