A peripheral angiogram is a test that checks for blockages in the arteries that supply blood to your legs and feet or your arms and hands. These arteries are called peripheral arteries because they move blood away from the heart and toward your extremities. ‌

The test is typically done if your doctor suspects you have peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Your doctor might order a peripheral angiogram if you have any symptoms of blockages in your peripheral arteries. It usually affects your legs, but can happen in other areas, depending on the disease. 

Some peripheral angiography symptoms may include:

A peripheral angiography is done while you lay on an X-ray table. The doctor will put some numbing medication on your groin or your arm and will make a small cut. They’ll insert a small rubber sheath into your blood vessel and then insert a thin tube called a catheter. 

Next, they’ll inject contrast dye into the catheter and take some X-ray scans. Then they’ll remove the catheter and rubber sheath and put a bandage on your cut. They’ll put some pressure on the area and keep you lying down for up to 8 hours. A nurse will watch for any complications before sending you home. You’ll need someone to drive you.

The procedure takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

Sometimes your doctor might do another minor procedure during the same appointment as your angiogram. They might check your arteries and then decide to treat your arteries right away. 

Treatment might be a peripheral angioplasty, where a balloon is inflated to move plaque and widen your artery. Or they might place a stent, which is a permanent mesh coil that’s placed against your artery walls to hold it open. 

If your doctor does other procedures like placing a stent, it can take longer. 

None of these procedures is considered major surgeries. 

Risks of a peripheral angiogram include:

You might have a higher chance of complications if you have kidney disease or you’re allergic to the contrast. Your doctor might be able to use a different dye for the procedure. 

In most cases, the risk for complications from an angiogram is low. ‌

American Heart Association: “Peripheral Angiography.”

Center for Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Interventions: “Peripheral Angiogram/Plasty.”

Intermountain Health Care: “Peripheral Angiogram.”

JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE: “Peripheral Vascular Disease.”

Leiner, T., Carr, C. Diseases of the Chest, Breast, Heart and Vessels 2019-2022: Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging. “Chapter 20 Noninvasive Angiography of Peripheral Arteries,” Springer, 2019.

Main Line Health: “Peripheral Vascular Angiography.”

Mayo Clinic: “Aneurysms,” “Buerger’s disease,” “Fibromuscular dysplasia,” “Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome” “Takayasu’s arteritis,” “Vasculitis.”

Society for Vascular Surgery: “Angiogram.”

University of California San Francisco Health: “Angiography.”

University of Pittsburgh Heart and Vascular Institute: “Adventitial Cystic Disease.”

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