Pulmonary Angiography
Pulmonary Angiography
Pulmonary angiography is an X-ray of the blood vessels that supply the lungs. It is used to find a blood clot, also called a pulmonary embolism, in these blood vessels. The procedure is often done by a specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist. Or it may be done by a cardiologist. This type of study is rarely done. Instead, a CT angiography of the chest is often used.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Any allergies to food or medicines
Any recent illnesses and all medical conditions you have
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
If you are breastfeeding
If you have an irregular heart rhythm
What medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements you take, including over-the-counter medicines and street drugs
Getting ready for your procedure
Follow any directions you’re given for not eating or drinking before the procedure.
Change into a hospital gown. Remove hair clips, jewelry, dentures, and other metal items that could show up on the X-ray.
Go to the bathroom to empty your bladder just before the procedure begins.
Plan to have a friend or relative available to drive you home.
During your procedure
Lie down on the X-ray table. An IV line is put into a vein in your hand or arm. You will be given fluids or medicines through the IV.
Medicine is put on the skin over your groin to numb it. A needle is then put into a blood vessel near the groin or your arm. The needle is then replaced with a thin, flexible tube called a catheter.
Using X-ray images as a guide, the healthcare provider moves the catheter through blood vessels and your heart to the pulmonary artery. This is the artery that carries blood to your lungs.
X-ray dye, also called contrast medium, is injected into your artery through the catheter. This dye helps the blood flow in your lungs show up better on X-rays. You may feel warmth when the dye is injected.
X-ray images are then taken. Stay as still as you can while the X-rays are taken. You may be asked to hold your breath for 10 to 25 seconds at a time. The healthcare provider will tell you when to hold your breath and when to breathe.
After the X-rays are taken, the catheter is removed. Pressure will be put on the insertion site for 5 to 10 minutes to stop bleeding.
The whole procedure may take about 1 hour.
After your procedure
After the procedure, you may stay in the hospital for a few hours or overnight. When you go home:
Care for the insertion site as directed.
Keep the leg on that side straight for 6 hours after the procedure.
Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the X-ray dye out of your body.
Possible risks and complications
Infection or bruising around the catheter insertion site
Problems because of X-ray dye, including allergic reaction or kidney damage
Damage to a blood vessel by the catheter
Pulmonary embolism because blood clots were released from blood vessel walls
Short-term abnormal heartbeats
Updated:  
December 10, 2017
Sources:  
Clinical presentation, evaluation, and diagnosis of the nonpregnant adult with suspected acute pulmonary embolism. UpToDate, Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism. UpToDate
Reviewed By:  
Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN,Grossman, Neil, MD