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What is a peripheral angiogram?

A peripheral angiogram is a test that uses X-rays and contrast dye to help your health care team find narrowed or blocked areas in one or more of the arteries that supply blood to your legs, feet or, in some cases, your arms and hands. The test is also called extremity angiography.

Why do people have this test?

The peripheral angiogram helps you and your health care professional decide if a revascularization procedure is needed to open blocked arteries.

Peripheral angioplasty is one such procedure. It uses a balloon catheter to open the blocked artery from the inside. A small wire mesh tube called a may be placed in the artery during angioplasty to help keep it open.

Bypass surgery is another procedure. It reroutes blood around the blocked arteries.

What are the risks of a peripheral angiogram?

Serious risks from peripheral angiograms are very unlikely. Some complications may include:

• Bruising, bleeding or tenderness at the area where the artery was entered
• Injury or damage to an artery caused by the thin tube (catheter) that’s inserted into your artery during the test
• Blood clot at the location of the needle puncture
• Kidney injury from contrast
• Radiation exposure
• Allergic reactions to the dye used in the test. (This reaction may appear with itching, rash or breathing problems. Tell your health care professional if you have ever had an allergic reaction to X-ray contrast dye or iodine substances.)

How do I prepare for the test?

Your health care professional will give you instructions on how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect before, during and after the test.

Talk with them about:

• Medications and supplements you take
• Any allergies you have
• Health concerns
• When you can eat, drink and resume normal activity

What should I watch for after the procedure?

A small bruise at the puncture site is common. If you start bleeding from the puncture site, lie flat and press firmly on that spot. Then, ask someone to call the health care professional who performed the procedure.

Call your health care team if:

• Your leg with the puncture becomes numb or tingles, or your foot feels cold or turns blue
• The area around the puncture site looks more bruised
• The puncture site swells or fluids drain from it

Call 911 if:

• The puncture site swells up very fast
• Bleeding from the puncture site doesn’t slow down when you press firmly on it