What to Expect During Your Cerebral Angiogram
What Is a Cerebral Angiogram?
A cerebral angiogram is a specialized imaging test that allows Dr. Yim to see detailed pictures of the blood vessels in your brain. It can help evaluate conditions like aneurysms, vascular malformations, or narrowing of blood vessels.
Where Is the Procedure Performed?
All diagnostic angiograms are performed at John Muir Medical Center – Walnut Creek. You’ll check in through the pre-operative area, where a nurse will place an IV and prepare you for the procedure.
Once the angiography suite is available, you’ll be brought to the biplane angiography suite on the second floor.
How Is the Procedure Done?
Dr. Yim typically uses a minimally invasive radial or snuffbox approach, accessing the artery in your wrist or hand. Over 95% of patients have their angiogram this way, which results in faster recovery and less discomfort compared to the traditional femoral (groin) approach.
- Right wrist access is used in almost all cases.
- Left wrist access is only used if necessary based on your anatomy.
- If radial access is not feasible, the procedure may be done via the femoral artery in the groin.
During the procedure:
- You’ll be awake but relaxed, with medications like Versed to help you stay calm and comfortable.
- Most patients do not remember the procedure due to the light sedation.
- Dr. Yim performs every part of the angiogram himself, including numbing the skin, placing a tiny needle with ultrasound guidance, and navigating a catheter through your arteries to image your brain.
There are always two nurses and two technicians in the room monitoring your safety and comfort throughout the procedure.
How Long Does It Take?
The angiogram itself usually takes 15 minutes. Afterward, you’ll be monitored in the recovery area for about 1 hour.
If the procedure was done via the femoral artery (groin), recovery time may be longer—between 2 and 6 hours, depending on whether a closure device is used successfully.
After the Procedure
- Dr. Yim personally calls your family after the angiogram to provide an update and answer any questions.
- When you’re ready to go home, a nurse will call your family to assist with pickup.
What Are the Risks?
Cerebral angiograms are generally safe, but like any procedure, there are potential risks. These include:
- Stroke (less than 1 in 1,000 patients experience a symptomatic stroke)
- Bleeding or bruising at the access site
- Artery spasm or injury
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye
- Temporary numbness or discomfort in the wrist or hand
Dr. Yim takes extensive precautions to minimize risk, using advanced imaging, ultrasound-guided access, and the latest catheter technologies.
What to Expect During Your Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram
What Is a Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram?
Where Is the Procedure Performed?
All diagnostic angiograms are performed at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. You are able to check in to the front of the hospital, where you will be directed to the pre-operative area. Here a nurse will perform any necessary lab work as well as place an IV catheter through which medications are administered.
Then, you’ll be brought to the biplane angiography suite located on the second floor of the hospital.
How Is the Procedure Done?
Dr. Yim uses a minimally invasive radial or snuffbox approach, accessing the artery in your wrist or hand. This approach is used with over 95% of patients and results in faster recovery and less discomfort compared to the traditional femoral (groin) approach. If radial or snuffbox access is not feasible, the procedure may be done via the femoral artery in the groin.
- Right wrist access is used in almost all cases. Left wrist access is only used if necessary based on your anatomy.
During the procedure:
- You’ll be given medications such as Versed to help you stay calm and comfortable. General anesthesia is not used, therefore you’ll be awake but relaxed for the duration of the procedure. Typically, patients do not remember the procedure due to the light sedation.
- Dr. Yim performs every part of the angiogram himself, including numbing the skin, placing a tiny needle with ultrasound guidance, and navigating a catheter through your arteries to image your brain.
There are always two nurses and two technicians in the room monitoring your safety and comfort throughout the procedure.
How Long Does It Take?
The angiogram itself takes about 15 minutes. Afterward, you’ll be monitored in the recovery area for about 1 hour.
If the procedure was done via the femoral artery (groin), recovery time may be longer—between 2 and 6 hours, depending on whether a closure device is used successfully.
After the Procedure
- Dr. Yim personally calls your family after the angiogram to provide an update and answer any questions.
- When you’re ready to go home, a nurse will call your family to assist with pickup.
What Are the Risks?
Cerebral angiograms are generally safe, but like any procedure, there are potential risks that you should be aware of. These include:
- Stroke (less than 1 in 1,000 patients experience a symptomatic stroke)
- Bleeding or bruising at the access site
- Artery spasm or injury
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye
- Temporary numbness or discomfort in the wrist or hand
Dr. Yim takes extensive precautions to minimize risk, using advanced imaging, ultrasound-guided access, and the latest catheter technologies.
In the days following your angiogram, Dr. Yim’s clinic staff will reach out to schedule a follow-up appointment. During this appointment, Dr. Yim reviews each image in great detail to ensure you and your family understand your condition and treatment options, if necessary.
Interested in learning more about our practice?
