This test is done in the hospital. You will be asked to lie on the X-ray table. The groin is cleansed, a local anesthetic is given, and a needle is inserted into the artery. The catheter (a long, narrow, flexible tube) is inserted through the needle and into the artery. It is then threaded through the main vessels of the abdomen and chest until it is properly placed into a mesenteric artery. This procedure is monitored by a fluoroscope (a special X-ray machine that projects the images on a TV monitor). The contrast medium is then injected into vessel via the catheter, and the X-ray pictures are taken. The catheter is kept open by flushing it periodically with a saline solution containing heparin, which will keep the blood in the catheter from clotting. Your pulse, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored during the procedure. After the X-rays are taken, the needle and catheter are withdrawn.
Pressure is immediately applied to the puncture site for 10 to 15 minutes to stop the bleeding. After that time the area is checked and a tight bandage is applied. The leg should be kept straight for an additional 4 hours after the procedure.
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