The next seven minutes could save your life. Home | Why We Do This | Health Library | Find a Doctor | Contact Conditions Procedures Ablation Pacemakers Atherectomy Valvuloplasty Carotid Stents Septal Closures Coil Embolization Coronary Stents Peripheral Stents Medicated Stents IVC Umbrella Placement Thrombolytic Treatment Angiojet Thrombectomy Intraaortic Balloon Pump Coronary Catheterization Radiation Brachytheraphy Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty MID-CAB Bypass Surgery Thoracic Endograph Heart Transplantation Valve Repair Surgery Abdominal Endograph Valve Replacement Surgery Carotid Endarterectomy Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Transmyocardial Revascularization Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Tilt Table MRI/MRA Aortagram Stress Test Event Recorder Ross Procedure Maze Procedure Holter Monitoring Myocardial Biopsy Nuclear Stress Test Stress Echocardiogram Electrophysiology Pulmonary Angiography Intracardiac Ultrasound Dobutamine Stress Echo Intravascular Ultrasound Echocardiography Electrocardiogram Coronary Balloon Angioplasty Peripheral Vascular Angiography Transesophageal Echocardiogram Signal Averaged Electrocardiogram Computed Axial Tomography Prevention Peripheral Vascular Angiography Why is the doctor performing this test? To evaluate the presence of plaque build-up (Atherosclerosis) in the peripheral arteries - meaning the arteries to the lower abdomen, kidneys, arms, legs, and feet. Plaque build-up in the peripheral arteries causes pain, especially in the legs with walking (called Claudication). What is the test? Peripheral Vascular Angiography is an invasive diagnostic test using a catheter to inject dye (contrast medium) into peripheral arteries. X-rays are taken of the dye within the arteries, allowing clear visualization of the blood flow inside the artery where Peripheral Vascular Disease occurs. To access the affected artery, the doctor will thread a catheter to the damaged artery. He or she will access the site by puncturing the groin (through the femoral artery) or the arm (through the radial or brachial artery). Where is the test performed? In the Cardiac Catheterization Lab or the Interventional Radiology Suite. How long does this test take? Peripheral vascular angiography takes about an hour. A community service provided by: Colorado Springs, CO 2008-2012, Copyright, Memorial Health System |  Site Map