Venography Health Article

Preparation

Fasting or drinking only clear liquids is necessary for four hours before the test. However, sometimes the test done in an emergency even if the patient has eaten. The contrast solution contains iodine, to which some people are allergic. Patients who have allergies or hay fever, or have had a bad reaction to a contrast solution, should tell their doctor. A sedative, such as diazepam (Valium), may be prescribed to help the patient relax.

Aftercare

Patients should drink large amounts of fluids to flush the remaining contrast solution from their bodies. The area around the incision will be sore for a few days. If there is swelling, redness, pain, or fever, the doctor should be notified. Pain medication may be needed. In most cases, the patient can resume normal activities the next day.

Risks

Venography can also cause complications such as phlebitis, tissue damage, and the formation of deep vein thrombosis in a healthy leg. A rare side effect in up to 8% of cases is a severe allergic reaction to the dye. This usually happens within 30 minutes after injection of the dye and requires medical attention.

Normal results

Normal venography results show proper blood flow through the leg veins.

Abnormal results

Abnormal venography results show well-defined filling defects in veins. Findings include:

• blood clots
• consistent filling defects
• an abrupt end of a test dye column
• major deep veins that are unfilled
• dye flow that is diverted

These results confirm a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis

BOOKS

DeBakey, Michael E., and Antonio M. Gotto Jr. "Invasive Diagnostic Procedures." In The New Living Heart. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 1997.

Texas Heart Institute. "Diseases of the Peripheral Arteries and Veins." In Texas Heart Institute Heart Owner's Handbook. New York: Wiley & Sons, 1996.

"Venography." In Mayo Clinic Practice of Cardiology. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1996.

"Venous Imaging." In Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.

PERIODICALS

Barloon T. J., G. R. Bergus, and J. E. Seabold. "Diagnostic Imaging of Lower Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis." American Family Physician 56 (1 Sept. 1997): 791-801.

Tapson, Victor F. "Pulmonary Embolism - New Diagnostic Approaches." New England Journal of Medicine 336 (15 May 1997).