Discharge Instructions for Hepatic Angiography

You had a procedure called hepatic angiography. This is an X-ray study of the blood vessels that supply your liver. Here's what to do at home afterward.

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You had a procedure called hepatic angiography. This is an X-ray study of the blood vessels that supply your liver. During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) was put into 1 of your blood vessels through a small incision. A specially trained healthcare provider called an interventional radiologist often does the procedure. These healthcare providers use minimally invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases. Here’s what to do at home after your procedure.

Home care

  • Don't drive until your healthcare provider says it is safe to do so.

  • Rest as directed by your healthcare provider. Most people are able to go back to their normal activity within a few days.

  • Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 3 to 4 days.

  • Don't do any strenuous activity for 2 weeks.

  • Exercise per your healthcare provider’s recommendations.

  • You can shower the day after the procedure.

  • Ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to swim or take a bath.

  • Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can take your normal medicines. Some medicines can be restarted right away. But some medicines should not be resumed for hours to days after the procedure. If you are prescribed new medicines take them exactly as directed.

  • Unless directed otherwise, drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration. It will also help flush your body of the dye that was used during your procedure.

  • Take your temperature every day for a week. Also check the place where your incision was made for signs of infection (redness, swelling, or warmth).

Follow-up care

  • Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

  • If you have stitches or staples, see your healthcare provider in 7 to 10 days to have them removed.

  • Ask your healthcare provider when you can go back to work.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:

  • Constant or increasing pain or numbness in your leg

  • Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

  • Chills

  • Signs of infection at the place where the incision was made (redness, swelling, or warmth)

  • A leg that feels cold or looks blue

  • Bleeding, bruising, or a large swelling where the catheter was inserted

  • Blood in your urine

  • Black or tarry stools

  • Any unusual bleeding or pain

Call 911

Call 911 if you have shortness of breath.