I'm just curious as to how long does one wait after surgery to get an angiogram?  I've asked a couple of doctors, and their answers varied from 3-6 months and 1 year.

I'd also like to know if this is going to be an "annual" procedure once surgery is done.

If anyone knows, could you please let me know?

Thank you,
SFH

Shan -

My experience:

I had a follow-up angio one year post op (Dr. Scott).  However, one mother (mother of Chloe) was told that Dr. Scott recently stopped doing one-year angios.   (I'm not sure if that was ever proved to be a mistake, etc.).

Anyway, after my one year check-up I was told that I didn't need to return unless I became symptomatic again.  I asked Dr. Scott about yearly MRI's or check-ups, etc.  And he had told me that yearly MRI's are usually done with "the little ones" (per his words!).

I would definitely follow the advise of your surgeon and see what he says....

Just my  [smiley=twocents.gif].

-Shari

Thank you, Shari, for your  [smiley=twocents.gif].  My original neurosurgeon that did my double bypass (direct) and (1) indirect bypass said that an angiogram was recommended about a year after my surgery.  However, yesterday I was reffered to a local neurosurgeon that made mention to me that an angiogram should be done 3-6 months from one's surgery.  Although, he did mention that he recommended the latter (6 months) for "indirect" surgeries.  I was just wondering from other members' responses if there was basically a "general" rule of thumb regarding this matter...and what the "general" consensus was....keeping in mind that all of our situations and cases are different.

Thanks again! [smiley=thumb.gif]

Take care,
SFH

Hi All:

I don't think there is a general "rule of thumb". Brian had his 3 STA-MCA's with Steinberg in August 2000 and followed up with an angio 3 months later. He does not have to return to Stanford unless he has problems. He sees a local neurologist who let us know last year that he had spoken with Steinberg and that there would be no need for further perfusion ct's or MRA's on an annual basis. Follow-up is now on an "as needed" basis.

Hope this helps...................Kathy

I'll just echo Kathy....I had surgery in November, follow-up angio in April.  I don't need to return or have another angio unless I have problems or symptoms on the other side (I only had one surgery).  Otherwise, I can have yearly MRI's locally.

Chelsie

Kathy, Chelsie,

Thank you for your responses.  It looks like in your two cases, after the initial follow-up, everything else is on an individual case-by-case basis.  I surely don't look forward to another angiogram (arteriogram?), but I understand the importance of it.  All I remember was that in my case, when they said "hold your breath we're going to take a picture," it hurt.  I could see bright lights..primarily red..sort of like lightning...kind of hard to put into words.  

Thanks again for your sharing your experiences!  [smiley=wink2.gif]

Aloha,
SFH