A femoral angiogram is a medical imaging study used to visualize blood supply to the legs. It involves inserting a catheter into the femoral artery to introduce a contrast material, which highlights the blood vessels during X-rays or fluoroscopy. The procedure can help diagnose vascular disease and determine the best treatment. Patients may experience a burning or tingling sensation, and rare allergic reactions can occur. Magnetic resonance or computed tomography options are less invasive and may be more comfortable for the patient.
A femoral angiogram is a medical imaging study that a doctor may order to visualize blood supply to the legs. If needed, your doctor may also perform an angioplasty to address the damaged blood vessels at the same time. This will lengthen the total time required for the procedure, but will spare the patient the need for a separate appointment for the angioplasty procedure. A hospital or catheterization clinic usually has the necessary facilities for femoral angiography.
In the traditional femoral angiogram, the patient is given a mild sedative to help relax them during the procedure. A technician inserts a catheter into the femoral artery in the groin and uses it to introduce a contrast material. This material will highlight the blood vessels during the later part of the procedure, in which X-rays or fluoroscopy are used to follow the tracer as it moves through the blood vessels in the legs. Structures such as bones will be visible and can be useful landmarks.
A doctor will interpret the femoral angiogram to determine if the patient has a healthy blood supply to their legs. If the test shows a problem, your doctor can pinpoint it and determine the best treatment. This procedure may be ordered if a patient shows signs of vascular disease or if a doctor wants to follow up with treatments such as angioplasty. As a follow-up test, it can confirm that treatment was successful or show evidence of treatment failure.
Patients may feel a burning or tingling sensation during the femoral angiogram due to the contrast material. This should pass and the material itself will be cleared from the body over the course of several days. Rarely, patients experience an allergic reaction to the contrast. These patients may develop a rash, intense itching or burning, or difficulty breathing. They should report these symptoms to a nurse or technician, who can determine if evaluation and intervention are needed.
Alternatively, a doctor may order a femoral angiogram with magnetic resonance or computed tomography to visualize blood vessels. These options are less invasive and may be more comfortable for the patient. They can also generate high resolution images that will provide a great deal of detail. The best option may depend on the facilities available, why the patient needs the test, and the doctor’s preferred method. Patients with questions can discuss this with a doctor and find out if a different method is available or would be more suitable for them.
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