Catheter angiography is a minimally invasive imaging test that helps physicians to diagnose diseases and disorders of the blood vessels in various parts of the body.
The procedure involves inserting a thin plastic tube called a catheter into an artery through a small incision in the skin. The incision is usually in the groin or arm, and the procedure is performed under local anesthetic. Once the catheter is guided to the area being examined, a liquid contrast material is injected through the catheter and X-ray images are captured. These images define the blood vessels and assist us in diagnosing the problem.

Inform us of all your medical illnesses and medication you are taking. Also inform us about your allergies especially if you are allergic to iodine or contrast material.
Inform us if you are breastfeeding prior to the procedure. You may be advised to express breast milk prior to the procedure for use whilst your body is clearing the contrast material. Your doctor will advise you in this respect.
A blood sample will be drawn before the procedures to make sure that your kidneys are working normally and that your blood will clot normally.
If a sedative is to be used during the procedure, you may be required not to eat or drink anything for up to eight hours prior to your procedure.
You will be requested to remove your clothing and to wear a gown during the procedure. You may be asked to remove jewellery, spectacles and any metal objects that might interfere with the x-ray images.

Women should always inform the radiographer / radiologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Radiation can be harmful to the fetus. If the procedure is still deemed necessary, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the fetus.

You will be asked to empty your bladder immediately before the procedure.
An intravenous line will be set up. You will feel a slight pin prick when the needle is inserted into your vein for the intravenous line.
The incision site in the groin or arm where the catheter is to be inserted will be shaved and cleaned. A local anesthetic will then be injected in this area. This may cause a stinging sensation initially, but it will pass and you will not experience pain during the procedure. The radiologist will then make a small incision in the skin where the catheter can be inserted into an artery. The catheter is then introduced and guided to the area to be examined.
You will not feel the catheter in your artery, but as the contrast material is injected, you may experience a warm or burning sensation. This is a transient sensation and disappears quite rapidly. While the contrast material is injected through the catheter into blood vessels being studied, several sets of x-rays are taken. You will be asked to remain very still during this period, either with or without holding your breadth, as it is necessary to obtain images of high quality. Various sets of such images may be required.
A catheter angiogram usually takes less than an hour to perform, but in certain more complicated cases the procedure may take considerably longer. Once the required images are obtained, the catheter is removed and the incision site is closed by compressing the area for approximately 10 minutes. 
Your intravenous line will be removed.

Follow instructions provided by the radiologist especially with respect to your breathing and remaining motionless for short periods of time to enable the capture of high quality images.

Following the procedure, you will be required to remain in hospital (overnight stay) for a period of observation. During this time, you should inform the nurse if you notice any bleeding, swelling or pain at the site where the catheter entered the skin. The incision site will be inspected prior to your discharge from hospital.

If you were sedated, you should not drive for 24 hours after your procedure and you should arrange for someone to drive you home.