Angiogram and Angioplasty

What is an angiogram?

This is a special x-ray of the blood vessels. It involves passing a long tube or catheter through an artery (blood vessel) in your leg. The consultant will inject dye through the tube into the artery. X-rays will be taken to show up any narrowing or blockages in the blood vessel.

Why do I need an angiogram?

Other tests that you have had done, such as Doppler ultrasound or a CT scan, can provide useful information, but the best way to confirm the diagnosis is to perform an angiogram as it is more detailed. Reduced blood flow to your arms and legs can cause severe pain, whether you are resting or exercising. It can also slow down the healing of any wounds on your limbs.

What is an angioplasty?

This is a minimally invasive way of relieving a blockage or narrowing in the artery without the need for an operation. A tube is inserted through the original catheter and passed through the narrowing or blockage. A special balloon at the end of the tube is inflated to open the blockage to allow more blood to flow through. The balloon is deflated again prior to removal. Should the narrowing require extra ballooning or a more permanent treatment a stent can be inserted in the same process as a balloon, however, they are left in situ to keep the narrowing artery open.

Before the procedure?

You will be asked to attend a specialist nurse led pre-assessment clinic prior to the procedure. You will have the procedure explained and the opportunity to ask questions. A blood sample will be taken to make sure there are no other health problems of which we are not aware. You will also have a simple swab taken from your nose and your groin to check for skin bacteria called MRSA.

You are safe to carry on taking most medications as normal, any blood thinning medication will be discussed with you at the pre-assessment clinic. There may be a need to suspend certain medications briefly. Unless told otherwise, please take your medication as normal.

On the day

Most patients will be admitted as a day case and will not require an overnight stay unless you live alone. If you cannot arrange someone to stay overnight a bed will be arranged for you by the radiology nurses. Once your admission has been confirmed you will receive an appointment letter instructing you where to go on the morning of your procedure.

You may eat and drink as normal. Be sure to have breakfast as you may have to wait longer than normal for lunch.

The nurse on the ward will complete some routine paperwork and observations. These include taking your blood pressure and heart rate. You will then be asked to change into a theatre gown.

Bring in your slippers and dressing gown. You may like to bring some reading material.

Please bring any medication you are due to take for the day but consult a member of staff before you take any medication.

The procedure

The procedure takes place in an Interventional Radiology (IR) Suite within Diagnostic Imaging. You will be taken there on a trolley or bed. You will be asked if you need to empty your bladder.

You will be wheeled into the x-ray room on your trolley. Once in the room you will be introduced to the team and the consultant will discuss the procedure with you. He will explain the benefits and risks. If you are happy to proceed you will be asked to sign a consent form. Should you have questions, please ask them here or before you leave the IR suite.

Once ID checks have been done you will be asked to lie flat with your legs out straight on the x-ray table. The table is narrow.  Please don’t shuffle around once you’ve laid down. You will be attached to a monitor to check your pulse, blood pressure and heartbeat.  A device will be placed on your finger to monitor your oxygen levels. The consultant radiologist, the nurse and their equipment will be sterile to prevent infection as much as possible. Please do not touch the sterile equipment during the procedure.

Before the start of the procedure, the skin around the groin will be shaved to avoid any hair sticking to the sterile drapes. Once this is done, the skin in the groin will be cleaned with an antiseptic and the radiologist will cover the rest of your body with a sterile towel. He will then inject a local anaesthetic into the skin and deeper tissues over the artery. This may sting but will go numb within 30 seconds – 1 minute.

A needle will be inserted into the artery. Once the radiologist is satisfied that this is correctly positioned a guide wire is placed through the needle and into the artery. Then the needle is taken out allowing a fine plastic tube to be placed over the wire and into the artery.

The radiologist will inject dye through the tubing whilst using X-ray equipment so he can take pictures of your arteries. This completes the Angiogram portion.

Prior to your procedure you may have had a scan which will have provisionally diagnosed a problem with your blood vessels. Both these sets of images will aid the consultant in determining whether an Angioplasty is required.

An Angioplasty is used to try and open the blockage to allow more blood to flow through the artery. It may be necessary to inflate the balloon several times to open the narrowing.

The radiologist will check progress by injecting dye down the tube to show how much the narrowing has opened. When he is satisfied a good result has been obtained the balloon is let down and removed. If the balloon does not keep the narrowing open sufficiently the radiologist may use a metal tube called a STENT to keep it open. Once the radiologist is satisfied that the x-rays show all the information required the tube is removed.

If no Angioplasty is required, then the consultant will ensure he has taken all relevant images and safely removed the tube in your groin.

After the Angiogram/Angioplasty an arterial plug called an Angio Seal will be inserted into your artery by the consultant as a temporary closure device. This will stay in situ and dissolve over the next 2-3 months. You will be given information to take home and read regarding the Angio Seal and a card to keep on your person should you require hospital assistance whilst the Angio Seal is in place.

How long will it take?

Every patient’s situation is different, and it is not always easy to predict how complex or straightforward the procedure will be. Some angiograms, looking at the large arteries in the legs may take up to half an hour. Other angiograms looking at smaller vessels may take up to an hour. If you require an angioplasty this may take up to one to one and a half hours.

Post procedure

You will be moved back to the ward area where your blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels and the pulse in your feet will be closely monitored. The ward staff will also look at the point where the catheter was inserted to make sure there is no bleeding from it.

If the puncture site has been sealed with an Angio Seal, then you will be able to get up after about 3-4 hours of bedrest. If it has not been possible to use this device, you may need to stay on bed rest for longer. Your radiologist will inform you.

You can eat and drink as normal. It is important to drink plenty of water after this procedure to flush the dye through your system.

The interventional consultant will discuss the results with you before you leave, and a report will be sent to your vascular consultant for review. They will then decide the next steps. This may be a follow -up appointment or a telephone call.

Most patients can have the procedure as a day case, however, there are a few factors that will change this. One being if you live alone. If you can arrange someone to stay with you for the first night an overnight stay could be avoided.

Upon discharge, a letter will be forwarded to your radiologist informing him of the procedure you have had, and any medication changes required as a result.

What to do once you have been discharged?

Activity

You may want to take things easy for a few days after the procedure. Refrain from work, exercise or heavy lifting for at least 2 days following your angiogram.

You may shower as normal but must not have a bath for 5-7 days.

Once fully recovered we encourage you to walk as much as you are able. This will ensure the new blood flow is maintained.

Driving

There is a legal requirement that you should not drive for up to 1 week after your procedure. Please make sure that you only drive when you feel able to do an emergency stop.

You may wish to check with your insurance company if you have any doubts about cover.

Wound care

You may experience bruising around the puncture site. This will resolve in a week or two.

If the wound should bleed or swell to the size of an egg lie flat, press on the wound, and get your carer to get emergency help.

Work

Your own circumstances will determine when you feel ready to go back to work. Most people need 2-3 days to recover.

People with manual jobs involving heavy lifting may need longer.

Are there any risks involved?

Angiography is considered a relatively safe procedure, but there are some risks involved.

• You may develop a bruise, known as a haematoma around the puncture site where the needle has been inserted. In around 3 in 100 people this can become large and uncomfortable sometimes delaying your discharge from hospital.
• Very rarely some damage may be caused to the artery by the catheter. This may need to be treated by surgery or another radiological procedure. This can occur in 1 in 100 people.
• Most people who have angiography notice a small lump in the groin. This is part of the body’s natural healing process. It will gradually reduce in size and disappear.

Angioplasty is also a safe procedure and mostly performed without any significant complications. There are however some associated risks.

• Sometimes it is not possible to pass the wire or catheter across the blockage and occasionally despite inflating the balloon several times the narrowing is so severe that it does not open as much as anticipated.
• The risk of bleeding is higher than for angiography alone and can occur in about 4 in 100 people

• There is a chance the angioplasty may damage the artery and your condition may worsen. In some cases, you may need surgery to repair it. This can occur in up to 1 in 100 people.

• If your arteries are badly diseased the risk of urgent surgery rises to 3 in 100 people
• The narrowed artery is caused by debris being attached to the inside wall of the artery. There is a possibility that the inserted tube can dislodge some of this debris. This may cause a blockage in the lower blood vessels.  If this happens, it would require a surgical procedure at Bournemouth Hospital.  

• Sometimes you may be left with a temporary numbness in the lower leg or foot. This is variable between patients and can last up to a few weeks. The risk of this occurring is 1 in 100 people.

• Sometimes the radiologist may need to access your affected blood vessel via a blood vessel in the other leg. This may cause some of the above complications on this side too.

In the worst case the procedure may lead to amputation if any of these complications occur and cannot be rectified.

What could happen if I do not have this procedure?

If you choose not to have this procedure your condition may remain the same or may get worse. Please discuss your concerns with your radiologist or specialist nurse.

About this leaflet:

Author(s):               Michelle De La Haye, Radiology Sister and Charlotte Hooper, Vascular Nurse Specialist

Written:                  May 2026

Approved:              July 2026

Review date:           May 2029

Edition:                   1

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email dch.patientinformation.leaflets@nhs.net