You had a procedure called cerebral angiography. This is an X-ray study of the blood vessels that supply your brain. During the procedure, the healthcare provider put a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in your groin, arm, or neck through a small cut (incision). The provider injected contrast dye into your bloodstream to help take clear X-ray images. Here’s what to do at home afterward.
Possible complications to watch for
The most common complication of this test is a collection of blood (hematoma) where the catheter was inserted. This is usually in the groin. It may appear as a lump under the skin. The medical staff usually notices this before you leave the imaging facility. A hematoma is treated by putting pressure on the site for a few hours to prevent it from getting bigger. You will be told to put cold packs on your groin for 24 hours to ease the pain. It takes a couple of weeks for the hematoma to heal. If the lump increases in size or is still present after 4 weeks, have it examined by your healthcare provider.
A less common complication is transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or a stroke. A TIA or stroke is caused by less blood flow to your brain. You might have weakness of an arm or leg, have trouble speaking and understanding words, or lose some vision or not remember things well. A TIA can last just a few hours. A stroke can last for days or weeks, or be permanent. The older you are, the greater the risk for a TIA or a stroke after a cerebral angiography. You might notice these symptoms at the time of the test or after you have left the imaging facility, sometimes days later.
Call 911
A stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a stroke or TIA:
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Weakness, tingling, or loss of feeling on one side of your face or body
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Sudden double vision or trouble seeing in one or both eyes
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Sudden trouble talking or slurred speech
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Sudden, severe headache
B.E. F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke. When you see these signs, you know that you need to call 911 fast.
B.E. F.A.S.T. Reminder for Stroke Signs
B.E.F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the warning signs of a stroke, and what to do if someone near you is experiencing them.
B.E. F.A.S.T. Stands for…
B – Balance
Is there a sudden difficulty with balance or coordination? Is walking or sitting difficult?
E – Eyes
Is there a sudden change in eyesight such as blurred vision, double vision, or a loss of vision in one or both eyes without pain?
F – Face
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
A – Arm
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech
Is speech slurred or difficult to understand? Are they unable to speak at all? Ask the person to repeat is simple sentence like “It is a bright and sunny day.”
T – Time to call 911!
If a person shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 to get them to the hospital immediately. Time is very important. The sooner they get to the hospital, the more likely they are to receive stroke reversing and potentially life-saving treatment.