01.05 Cerebral Angiography

A cerebral angiography is a procedure where the radiologist or doctor inserts a catheter into an artery, usually the leg, and they thread that catheter up to the vessels supplying the brain. They do this with a guiding X-ray. Iodine contrast is then injected into the catheter and the X-ray will show the blood flow in the brain using radiation to bounce off of the tissues. The purpose of this procedure is to view and diagnose brain disease or aneurysms. This picture shows a picture from this test showing an aneurysm in the brain vessel here. Let’s explore what to do before the procedure. 

If the patient is on anticoagulants, ask the doctor if they want them held before the test, and for how long. The patient will be NPO meaning no food or drink for 6 to 8 hours before the procedure. Ask the patient if they have any allergies to contrast dye. Explain the procedure and have the patient sign the consent. this consent may be done at the bedside before the procedure so that the doctor may explain any risks. 

During the procedure, the nurse will clean and shave the upper leg and groin area. The patient will receive a sedative through the IV by the nurse or radiology tech. It’s sometimes necessary to use general anesthesia on the patient, like if they have a hard time getting them to relax for the procedure. Thee doctor will place and thread the catheter through the leg artery and up to the vessels supplying the brain where they will inject the contrast and use the X-ray. You will monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure for any variations. 

Let the patient know when they will be able to start their anticoagulants based on what the doctor ordered. The patient can continue their normal activities the next day. Tell them to let the nurse know or call the doctor if they are at home and experience any redness or pain at the injection site. 

The priority nursing concepts for the patient with a cerebral angiography are intracranial regulation, safety, and patient education.