Dear valued patient,
The purpose of this guidance is to provide you with information that will help you go through the hospitalization and recovery period in the best and safest way possible. This document does not replace the explanations given by the doctor and is in addition to the consent form for the procedure.
What is Angiography?
Angiography - Peripheral Vascular Stent: A test that demonstrates the blood vessels and diagnoses diseases in peripheral blood vessels, such as blockages, obstructions, and ruptures.
During the angiography procedure, some problems can be treated or further treatment can be planned.
Angiography is performed at the Radiology Institute or in the operating room under local anesthesia.
Angiography is based on the flow of contrast material through a small plastic tube that is inserted into the artery.
When there is a blockage or obstruction, a catheter is inserted and a balloon is used to open the blockage. Sometimes, a stent may be inserted to maintain proper blood flow in the treated area. The stent remains inside the blood vessel.
Before the Procedure:
You will be asked to perform blood tests, chest X-rays, ECG, and CT scans according to the doctor's instructions before admission.
If you have any pre-existing conditions, you will be asked to provide additional medical approvals, such as a cardiology approval and a letter from your treating physician.
If you have undergone any blood vessel tests such as Doppler, Duplex, Doppler, and others, it is essential to bring all the results with you.
Commitment from your health insurance or payment arrangements.
You will be asked to bring all the above documents on the day of admission to the preoperative clinic.
Important Information:
• If you have difficulty lying on your back for 2-6 hours.
• If you are known to be sensitive to contrast material (iodine) so that precautions can be taken if needed.
• If you are being treated for diabetes.
• If you are on blood thinning medications. You will receive detailed instructions from your treating physician.
At the Preoperative Clinic:
You will receive an appointment for the preoperative clinic through the department's secretariat (Tel: 02-6666310).
The admission process at the preoperative clinic will take a few hours, so please plan accordingly.
You will be received by a nurse who will take your pulse, blood pressure, and weight, complete missing tests, and provide instructions.
You will be examined by a vascular surgeon who will explain the angiography procedure and ask you to sign a consent form for the procedure.
At the end of the admission process, you will return home. We will contact you and inform you of the angiography date.
Department Structure:
• The Peripheral Vascular Surgery Unit is located in the General Surgery Department on the 8th floor.
• The department has 52 beds. The patient unit includes a bed, a call bell for the nurse, a wardrobe, a night light, and attached restrooms and showers.
On the Evening Before the Procedure:
You are requested to arrive directly at the General Surgery Department on the evening before the angiography between 19:00-20:00, or as instructed by the preoperative unit.
Please take a shower, including washing your hair, wear clean clothes, and remove nail polish and jewelry.
Please bring your regular medications with you.
It is recommended to bring personal items such as toiletries, a bathrobe, comfortable shoes, and reading material.
Avoid bringing valuables, money, and jewelry.
The department staff will receive you and complete the preparations for the procedure.
You will start fasting from midnight unless otherwise instructed by the department staff.
On the morning of the Angiography:
Wear only a hospital gown (remove underwear).
You will be given regular medications and premedication - medications to reduce the stress that may occur due to the angiography. The dosage and type of medications will be adjusted according to the level of stress. If the dose is insufficient, please inform the nurse.
An attendant will arrive to take you to the angiography room. Before that, please remove glasses, watch, jewelry, removable dental lenses, and hearing aids.
Any personal matters should be communicated to a family member. If no family member is present, security matters will be handled by the security department before entering the angiography room.
After the Angiography:
You will be transferred to the recovery room, which is located adjacent to the operating room.
In the recovery room, a nurse will monitor your blood pressure, and pulse, and check the dressing.
If you experience any pain, you can request pain relievers.
One family member may enter the recovery room with the approval of the nurse.
In the Department:
Continued monitoring.
You will receive pain-relief medications through intravenous infusion or orally. The dosage and type of medications will be adjusted based on the pain level. If the amount is insufficient, please inform the nurse.
You are not allowed to get out of bed until the next morning. Resting in bed is important to prevent bleeding from the angiography site. You cannot go to the bathroom on your own. You can request assistance from the staff.
You will receive intravenous fluids as needed.
You will receive medications to thin the blood as prescribed by the doctor.
You can start eating and drinking gradually upon your return to the department. It is important to increase your fluid intake on the day of the procedure and the next day. Meals are served three times a day, and you can adjust your mealtime with the nurse during the admission on the day before angiography.
The hospital stay after angiography is one day.
Upon Discharge:
The day after angiography, during the doctor's rounds, you will be evaluated, and a decision will be made regarding discharge home or further treatment.
You will receive a discharge letter with recommendations for continued care in the community or follow-up at the Vascular Surgery Clinic in the hospital.
How to Act at Home:
It is essential to continue treatment and follow the instructions in the discharge letter.
Inform your community treating doctor about the angiography you underwent.
Maintain maximum cleanliness of the angiography site in the groin/armpit area by daily washing with water and soap.
You can resume regular activities upon returning home. For driving and intense physical activity, you can resume these 48 hours after angiography.
You will be granted sick leave by your community treating doctor according to the physician's recommendation.
If you experience fever, bleeding, discharge, color changes, or cooling of the treated limb, please contact the treating physician or the triage room.
For any questions or inquiries, you can contact the department at 02-6555569, 02-6555769.