Discharge Instructions for Renal Angiography

You had a procedure called a renal angiography. This imaging test checks the blood vessels in your kidneys. This procedure used a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The catheter is inserted into one of your blood vessels through a small cut or incision. A dye is injected to make your blood vessels show up better on X-ray images. Then X-ray pictures are taken. Here’s what to do at home following this procedure.

Home care

• Don't drive until the day after your procedure.

• Do only light and easy activities for 2 to 3 days after the procedure.

• Avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks after the procedure.

• Exercise according to your healthcare provider's recommendations.

• Ask your healthcare provider when you can return to work.

• You can shower the day after your procedure. But don't swim or sit in a bath or hot tub until your incision has healed.

• Take your medicines exactly as directed.

• Unless told otherwise, drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. This will prevent fluid loss or dehydration. It will also help flush the X-ray dye out of your body.

• Take your temperature and check your incision for signs of infection every day for a week. Check for redness, swelling, or warmth at the incision site.

• Break the smoking habit. Join a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of success.

Follow-up care

Make a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider, or as directed.