Angiogram/Fistulogram and Angioplasty of Your Dialysis Access

Care instructions

An angiogram/fistulogram is an x-ray to look for narrowing or blockage in your dialysis access (your fistula or graft). Dye or carbon dioxide may be used in this procedure to give better-quality images of your fistula or graft.

You may need this procedure because:

• There is less blood flow to your dialysis access.
• Your access is causing problems with your dialysis treatments.
• You are having symptoms that may be caused by narrowing of your dialysis access.

Before the procedure

• You must sign a consent form before the procedure.

Day of the procedure

• Tell the nurse or doctor if you have allergies to any medicines or intravenous contrast dye.
• Follow the instructions you received from the radiology booking office or dialysis unit.
• Arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure, because you may receive pain medicine that makes you less alert.

During the procedure

• A catheter (a thin, flexible tube) will be put into your arm. You will get numbing medicine put into the area before the catheter is placed.
• Contrast dye will be injected into the catheter. The dye helps to see the blood flow through your arm and give accurate images of your fistula or graft. You may have a brief warm, flushed feeling in the area when the dye is added.
• X-rays will be taken of your access as the contrast dye passes through your fistula or graft.

If you need an angioplasty

• You will need an angioplasty if the x-ray shows any narrowing or blockage in your dialysis access.
• An angioplasty is a way to fix a blood vessel that has become narrow.
• The procedure usually takes about 1 hour. You may get medicine to relax you during the procedure.
• For the angioplasty, an inflatable balloon is inserted through the catheter.
• The balloon is inflated in the narrowed area. You may feel some discomfort when the balloon is inflated.
• When the narrowed area is opened, the catheter is removed.
• One stitch may be placed where the catheter was inserted. The stitch can be taken out the following morning or at your next dialysis treatment.

After the procedure

• You can go home if you did not have an angioplasty.
• If you had angioplasty, you will go to another unit of the hospital:
  • You may stay at the hospital for up to 4 hours.
  • You will need to lie quietly with your arm straight.
  • Be careful with your arm for the rest of the day. Avoid doing anything that is hard on your arm, like vacuuming.

If you have any bleeding from your dialysis access that won’t stop, put pressure on the area, and call 911.

Questions or concerns

If you have questions or concerns before the procedure, call your dialysis unit or the access nurse:

• Calgary 403-944-9900
• Edmonton 780-735-9744
• Lethbridge 403-388-6599
• Medicine Hat 403-529-8807??
• Red Deer 403-343-4788

To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_angiogram_fistulo_plasty_access_ac.

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: October 31, 2024

Author: Kidney Health, Medicine Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.