Pulmonary angiography Health Article

Definition

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

Alternative Names

Pulmonary arteriography

How the test is performed

This test is done in a hospital. You will be asked to lie on an x-ray table. Electrocardiogram (ECG) leads are taped to your arms and legs to monitor the electrical impulses of the heart.

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 makes a small surgical cut in an artery in the area that has been cleaned, and inserts a thin hollow tube called a catheter. The catheter is placed through the artery and carefully moved up into and through the 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 (contrast material) is injected into catheter. X-ray images are taken to see how the dye moves through the lung arteries. The dye helps highlight any blockages in blood flow.

The catheter is occasionally flushed with saline solution containing a drug called heparin to help keep blood in the tube from clotting.

Your pulse, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored during the procedure.

After the x-rays are taken, the needle and catheter are withdrawn.

Pressure is immediately applied to the puncture site for 10-15 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 12 hours after the procedure.