Aortic angiography

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Aortic angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye and x-rays to see how blood flows through the aorta, the major artery leading out of the heart, and through your abdomen or belly.

Angiography is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Risks

Risks of aortic angiography include:

• Allergic reaction to the contrast dye
• Blockage of the artery
• Blood clot that travels to the lungs
• Bruising at the site of catheter insertion
• Damage to the blood vessel where the needle and catheter are inserted
• Excessive bleeding or a blood clot where the catheter is inserted, which can reduce blood flow to the leg
• Heart attack orstroke
• Hematoma -- a collection of blood at the site of the needle puncture
• Infection
• Injury to the nerves at the needle puncture site
• Kidney damage from the dye
• Images
  Cardiac arteriogram