It looks like your browser is out-of-date! For the best user experience, please upgrade to a more modern browser like Chrome or Edge.

Skip to Main Content
Visitor Guidelines | Directrices de visitas

We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure our spaces remain safe for patients, parents and caregivers. View visiting guidelines.

Estamos adoptando medidas reflexivas para garantizar que nuestros espacios sigan siendo seguros para los pacientes, los padres y los cuidadores. Vea las directrices de visitas.

Mobile sized logo
  • 317.944.5000
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Find a Career
    • Health Information
    • Find a Doctor
    • Departments & Programs
    • Support Services
    • Contact & Locations
    • Refer a Patient
    • My IU Health Patient Portal
Riley Children's Health
  • 317.944.5000
  • My IU Health Patient Portal
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Find a Career
Book Appointment Online with select physicians.
Request Appointment Online to schedule with one of our coordinators.
1.888.IUHEALTH for
Same-Day Primary Care Appointments.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Find a Career
  • Health Information
  • Find a Doctor
  • Departments & Programs
  • Support Services
  • Contact & Locations
  • My IU Health Patient Portal
  • General Information
    317.944.5000
  • Health Information
  • Find a Doctor
  • Departments & Programs
  • Support Services
  • Contact & Locations
Riley Children's Health

Angiography & Angioplasty

Angiography & Angioplasty
  • Find a Doctor
  • Request An Appointment
  • On This Page:
  • What to Expect
  • Key Points to Remember
  • Related Conditions & Departments
Go back to the top of the page

Angiography and angioplasty are interventional radiology procedures that are used by your child’s healthcare team to diagnose and treat heart and vascular conditions. Cardiac catheterization techniques like angiography and angioplasty allow doctors to go inside the body and clearly see blockages or damage to the arteries and veins.

Interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive and use only one tiny incision, reducing the risks of the procedure. During an angiography procedure, an interventional radiologist uses live imaging to guide a catheter (small tube) through an artery or a vein to view the blocked or damaged area.

In some cases, the interventional radiologist can fix the blockage and no further treatment is needed. Usually this is done with a procedure known as angioplasty. During this procedure, a tiny balloon is inserted into the artery or vein to open up the blockage.

An angiography procedure normally takes about one to two hours, including any sedation or anesthesia your child may need.

What to Expect

What to Expect

Angiography and angioplasty include the following steps:

  • Your child will be given a sedative or put to sleep and monitored closely by an anesthesiologist.
  • The interventional radiologist will make a small incision in the groin and guide the catheter through a vein to the location of the blockage.
  • He or she will then inject dye into the vein to make the area more visible through imaging.
  • If possible, the interventional radiologist will open the blockage with angioplasty by inserting a tiny balloon through the catheter.
    • The balloon is expanded and then withdrawn, leaving the vessel open so blood can flow freely.
    • If there is damage to the blood vessel that causes bleeding, the interventional radiologist will place a special liquid or metal coil in the vessel to stop the bleeding.
  • Once the procedure is complete, your child will be taken to a recovery room to wake up.

If your child needs additional treatment for the blocked blood vessel, this will be done right after the interventional radiology procedure. Your child may need to stay overnight. If there is pain from the procedure, he or she may receive pain medicine.

Like all procedures, angiography has some risks. Sometimes a child has bleeding or swelling where the interventional radiologist inserted the catheter. Rarely, an infection can occur, or your child may have an allergic reaction to the dye used during the procedure. It is also possible for the catheter to damage the blood vessel while it is being placed. If this occurs, the interventional radiologist can quickly stop the bleeding using a special liquid or metal coil.

Bring questions with you when you come to your child’s appointment. The interventional radiologist will be happy to answer questions and help you feel comfortable with the care your child is receiving.

Key Points to Remember

Key Points to Remember

  • Angiography and angioplasty help diagnose and treat blockages or other abnormalities in blood vessels.
  • Interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive and use only one tiny incision, reducing the risks of the procedure.
  • Your child will be under sedation or anesthesia during the procedure.
  • Your child may need to stay overnight depending on the treatment he or she requires.

Related Conditions & Departments

Related Conditions & Departments

Departments

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology & Imaging
  • Riley Heart Center
Riley Children's Health Indiana University School of Medicine
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2023 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org

Get Informed

  • About Riley Children's Health
  • Family Support Services
  • Health Professionals
  • Medical Education
  • Newsroom
  • Riley Connections Blog
  • Careers
  • Legal Notices

I Want To…

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Refer a Patient
  • Plan My Visit
  • Pay a Bill
  • Make a Donation
  • Volunteer
  • Find a Career

General Information

317.944.5000

Connect with Riley at IU Health

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • RSS
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2023 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org


Non-discrimination Notice

  • English
  • Español
  • Français
  • Burmese
  • Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch
  • 中文
  • Nederlands
  • Deutsch
  • Hakha
  • 日本語
  • Karen
  • 한국어
  • Русский
  • Tagalog
  • Tiếng Việt
  • العربية
  • हिंदी
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
Back to top of the page