for this procedure. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to dye or shellfish.
When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.Your doctor will do an exam and may order:- Lab tests
- CT or MRI scan
- Angiogram
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- The staff will connect you to a device that will monitor your brain function, pulse, blood pressure, and heart rate.
- When you fall asleep, the staff will put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. They will also put another small tube in your nose. This one goes down to your stomach to drain out any food or fluid that might come out during surgery. You will have a tube in your bladder to drain the urine.
- The staff will shave and clean the area in your groin. The doctor will give a drug to numb the skin area.
- The doctor will put a needle into the skin to make a hole in the artery. The doctor will put in a small tube called a catheter. The doctor will inject a contrast dye to your system. This will provide a better view of the blood vessels. The doctor will use x-rays to view and guide the catheter.
- The doctor will slide small surgical materials like coils, stents, and drugs through the catheter. The doctor will use these materials to close or fill in the damaged blood vessels.
- The doctor will remove the catheter once the blood vessel is treated.
- The doctor will close the injection site with stitches or staples and cover it with a clean bandage. The doctor will put pressure on the injection site to stop the bleeding.
- This procedure may take a few hours. It depends on the severity of the damaged blood vessels.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room after surgery. The staff will closely monitor your vital signs.
- You must lie still for a few hours to prevent bleeding.
- You will feel pain and soreness at the catheter site. The doctor will give you drugs to relieve the pain.
- After a few hours, you will be moved to a regular hospital room. You may stay in the hospital for 2 days or longer if you have problems.
- Within a few hours, you will get out of bed to a chair. The staff will help you begin to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear.
- The doctor may order tests before you are sent home.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctors orders.
- Monitor and control your blood pressure and cholesterol level. Follow your treatment plan for these conditions.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.
- Always wash your hands before and after touching the wound or your dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Dislodging of coils or stents
- Stroke
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- A seizure
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Changes in physical strength, behavior, mental status, or eyesight
- Trouble controlling body movement or walking
- Problem controlling your bladder
Where can I learn more?
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation ‚
http://www.bafound.org/node/118 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚