Mesenteric Angiography

Patient Information
Radiology Department
Mesenteric Angiography Information

Leaflet
Introduction
You have been advised by your hospital consultant that you need to have
a Mesenteric angiogram that may include embolisation treatment. You
have been referred to the Radiology department to have this procedure.
This information leaflet has been produced to give you general information
and is intended to answer most of your questions.
This is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your
consultant, but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading
this information you still have concerns or require further explanation,
please contact the Radiology team on the telephone number 02476
967115.
Please inform us on the above number us prior to your procedure if:

- You have allergies to contrast (X-ray dye)
- You are, or might be, pregnant
- You weigh more than 200kg (31 stone)
We strongly advise that you leave any valuable possessions at home and
remember to bring all medications including inhalers that you are taking
with you to the X-Ray department.
Please read this leaflet carefully to make sure you are successfully
Patient Information
prepared for the examination.
What is a Mesenteric Angiogram?

A Mesenteric angiogram is a procedure to obtain images of blood vessels
to the bowel. This involves the insertion of a catheter (a small plastic tube)
into an artery, usually in your groin, manipulation of the catheter along the
main artery of the body (aorta) to reach the arteries supplying the bowel
and then injection of some contrast medium ‘X-ray dye’. The examination
is usually performed when your doctor suspects one of the blood vessels
supplying your bowel is leaking.
The examination will be performed by a radiologist who will be assisted by

a radiographer and a radiology nurse. It is not easy to predict how long the
procedure will take. As a guide, expect to be in the Radiology Department
for at least one hour.
If it is required, appropriate and possible, the radiologist will proceed on to
an embolisation.
What is Mesenteric embolisation?

A Mesenteric embolisation is when one of the blood vessels supplying your
bowel is purposely blocked. Once the radiologist has localised your
Mesenteric artery from the angiogram, small metal coils are inserted down
the catheter and left in the artery.
Why do I need a Mesenteric embolisation?

The procedure is usually done if a blood vessel is demonstrated on the
angiogram to be leaking blood directly into your bowel. Embolisation will
seal the leak by enabling blood clots to form within the leaking artery and is
an alternative treatment to surgery.
Referral and consent

Before to the examination, the radiologist who will be performing the
procedure will discuss the procedure with you and if you do not want it
carried out, you are within your rights to decide against it.
Mesenteric angiography www.uhcw.nhs.uk -2-

Patient Information
If you are having the Mesenteric angiogram and or embolisation as a

planned procedure, then you should have plenty of time to discuss the
situation with your consultant and the radiologist (a specialised X-ray
doctor) who will be performing the procedure. It is quite likely that the
procedure is being performed as an emergency but you should still have
had sufficient explanation before you sign the consent form.
If the radiologist feels that your condition has changed or that your
symptoms do not indicate such a procedure is necessary then they will
explain this to you. They will communicate their reasons with the referring
clinician and ask that you return to your referring clinician or ward for
review. At all times the radiologist and referring clinician will be acting in
your best interests.
Before the test

Please bring all your usual medication into hospital with you. Please
remember to take any sprays or inhalers with you when you have the
procedure. It is important that you understand the test and its implications,
so if you have any questions, please ask the doctor.
You will be asked to sign a pink consent form confirming that you
understand the procedure and are aware of the risks and benefits it entails.
This will be done on the ward before you have the procedure done. We will
want you to be as relaxed as possible for the procedure.
Take all medication as normal, but if you are taking water tablets or
diuretics you may stop this on the day of the procedure.
Please tell the doctor if:

 You have had any allergies or bad reactions to drugs or other tests
 You have asthma, hay fever, diabetes, or any heart or kidney problems.
 You are taking Metformin please inform the ward staff as this may have
to be stopped for 48 hours after the procedure.
Please continue to eat and drink normally unless your surgery is planned
for the same day.
Preparation
You will have had some blood tests to check your blood clotting ability and
kidney function.

Patient Information
 There is no need for you to stop eating before the procedure (unless you
have surgery planned for the same day) but it is important that you drink
plenty, we advise one pint (500mls) of water or squash above your
normal fluid intake.
 Important Information for patients on a fluid restricted
allowance: If you are under the care of a renal specialist and /or
have to follow a fluid restricted diet, you should include this
preparation as part of your fluid allowance.
 If you have severe kidney problems you will be put on intravenous fluids
(a drip) for 6 hours, starting the hour before the procedure.
 If you are taking Metformin please inform the ward staff as this may
have to be stopped for 48 hours after the procedure.
 Some pain killers (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) may have to
be stopped on the day of the examination for 24 hours, please discuss
this with the nurses on the ward. Paracetomol may be used instead
 You will need a cannula inserted into a vein in your arm after you have
arrived on the ward, before coming to the x-ray department
 You will need to wear a hospital gown. The porters will collect you from
the ward and bring you to the x-ray department on your bed for the
procedure.
During your examination

 The procedure will again be explained to you by the radiologist and you
will be able to ask any further questions that you may have.
 You will be taken into the X-ray room where you will be asked to lie
down on the X-ray table.
 If you are having a Mesenteric embolisation your blood pressure will be
monitored by a radiology nurse who will stay with you throughout the
procedure.
 The radiologist (an X-ray doctor) will inject a local anaesthetic into the
skin of your groin to freeze the area.
 You may still feel some pressure sensation, but if you feel any pain
during the procedure inform the radiologist. You will be asked to lie as
still as you can.
 The catheter is then inserted into the artery at the groin, and using X-
rays to help, the radiologist moves the catheter into the correct position.
X-ray pictures are taken whilst the dye is injected down the catheter into

Patient Information
the arteries. Sometimes the injection may cause a hot feeling for a short
while or the feeling that you have passed urine.
 At this point the embolisation treatment will be performed if necessary.
 When the X-rays are completed, the catheter is removed and either a
special sealing device is placed in the artery to seal the hole, or pressure
will be applied to the groin for about ten minutes to minimise any
bruising.
 If you have had an embolisation and you are having surgery the same
day, a small catheter called a sheath may be left in your groin as
movement is restricted following its removal.
Risks of the procedure

As with any procedure or operation, complications are possible. We have
included the most common risks and complications in this leaflet. The
probability of these complications occurring will vary for each patient and
the possibility of these complications happening to you will be discussed
with you before you sign the consent form.
 It is not always possible to see the leaking vessel on the angiogram.
 Surgery may still be required if the embolisation is not possible or only
partially successful.
 There can be bleeding around the groin after the examination. The ward
nurses will monitor you closely for 4 – 6 hours after the procedure.
Rarely the bleeding can be so severe that serious complications can
arise. The doctor will discuss these with you when you sign the consent
form.
 Rarely the contrast medium used for angiograms can cause
deterioration in kidney function, which is usually only temporary but
occasionally can be more long term. This is of particular concern for
people who already have impaired kidney function. You will have a blood
test to assess your kidney function prior to the procedure.
 Rarely, allergic reactions can occur with the X-ray dye, only very rarely
requiring any treatment. You will be asked about allergies by the
radiologist at the time.
Despite these possible complications, the procedure is normally very safe.

At all times during and after the procedure the staff will be monitoring your
responses to this treatment in order to minimize the effects of any
complications.

Patient Information
X-rays are a type of radiation. We are all exposed to natural background

radiation every day of our lives; this comes from the sun, food we eat, and
the ground. Exposure to X-rays carries a small risk, but your doctor feels
that this risk is outweighed by the benefits of having the test. We will take
all safeguards to minimise the amount of X-rays you receive.
Safety
The contrast agent contains iodine and is excreted by the kidneys in your
urine. Please inform the radiologist or radiographer:
 If you are allergic to iodine, have any other allergies or suffer from
asthma.
 If you have reacted previously to the injection used for kidney X-rays or
CT scanning.
 If you have known kidney problems.
Patients aged 12 –55 years: the risks of radiation are higher for the
unborn child so you will be asked to confirm that you are not pregnant
before the examination can proceed.
After your examination

If you have any problems after the procedure please speak to the staff on
the ward
 You will stay in bed overnight. You will be taken back to the ward and
asked to remain lying flat for 4 hours so your groin does not start to
bleed. It is important that you do not try to sit up or get out of bed. The
nurses will check your groin, blood pressure and feet regularly.
 You should eat and drink normally and can sit up gradually after 4 hours.
Please ensure you have drunk at least 1 pint (1/2 litre) of water on
the ward within the 2 hours following the procedure.
 Important information for patients with severe kidney
problems: You will be kept on intravenous fluids for the remainder
of the 6 hours. You should have a further kidney function test before
you are discharged home from the ward. You may require further
monitoring and referral to a renal specialist if your kidney function
has decreased by 10%.

Patient Information
 If you require surgery the same day you will return to the ward with a
small catheter still in your groin. This will be removed by a doctor after
the surgery.
 If you have any problems after the procedure please speak to staff on
the ward. A report will be generated by the Radiologist to inform your
referring consultant
Other sources of Information:
For information about the effects of X-rays read the NRPB publication: “X-
rays how safe are they?” on the Health Protection Agency website:
www.hpa.org.uk
Please note that the views expressed in these websites do not necessarily
reflect the views of UHCW NHS Trust or the NHS.
Radiology Department
If you have any questions or would like further information, the Radiology
Department can be contacted via Telephone: 024 7696 6331
The Trust has access to interpreting and translation services. If you need
this information in another language or format please contact the number
on your appointment letter and we will do our best to meet your needs.
The Trust operates a smoke free policy.
To give feedback on this leaflet please email [email protected]
Document History
Department: Radiology
Contact: 27161
Updated: April 2022
Review: April 2024
Version: 5.1
Reference: HIC/LFT/1176/11

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Patient Information

Mesenteric Angiography Information

Please inform us on the above number us prior to your procedure if:

prepared for the examination.

What is a Mesenteric Angiogram?

The examination will be performed by a radiologist who will be assisted by

What is Mesenteric embolisation?

Why do I need a Mesenteric embolisation?

Referral and consent

Mesenteric angiography www.uhcw.nhs.uk -2-

If you are having the Mesenteric angiogram and or embolisation as a

Before the test

Please tell the doctor if:

Mesenteric angiography www.uhcw.nhs.uk -3-

During your examination

Mesenteric angiography www.uhcw.nhs.uk -4-

Risks of the procedure

Despite these possible complications, the procedure is normally very safe.

Mesenteric angiography www.uhcw.nhs.uk -5-

X-rays are a type of radiation. We are all exposed to natural background

After your examination

Mesenteric angiography www.uhcw.nhs.uk -6-

Other sources of Information:

The Trust operates a smoke free policy.

To give feedback on this leaflet please email [email protected]

Mesenteric angiography www.uhcw.nhs.uk -7-

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