Peripheral Angiogram/Plasty

Quick answer

A peripheral angiogram uses dye and X-rays to show where the arteries feeding your legs have narrowed or closed off. Those blockages are what cause cramping in your calf, hip or thigh when you walk. Treatment can happen in the same visit. A balloon widens the artery, and a small metal mesh stent goes in if one is needed. If you have kidney disease, CO2 can replace the iodine dye.

A peripheral angiogram is a test that uses X-rays and dye to help your doctor find narrowed or blocked areas in one or more of the arteries that supply blood to your legs. If there is narrowing of artery can be treated in the same setting or different setting with balloon angioplasty and/or stenting.

What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

One common circulatory condition many people face is Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD causes the arteries to narrow, and decreases blood flow to the limbs. People who have PAD may feel pain – generally in the legs – because the body doesn’t generate an adequate flow of blood. If you believe you are experiencing pain due to peripheral artery disease, our physicians perform peripheral angiography as a procedural option right here in our office.

What are some signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease?

Some indicatives of peripheral artery disease may include:

Painful or uncomfortable cramping in the calf, hip, or thigh after walking or climbing stairs
Cold sensations in the foot or lower leg
Sores on the feet, legs, or toes that do not show signs of healing
Numbness or weakness in the leg
Alternating coloration in the legs
Hair loss or prolonged hair growth in the legs or feet
Shiny skin on the legs
Inadequate pulse in the feet or legs

Additionally, erectile dysfunction may also be a sign of peripheral artery disease in men. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, schedule an appointment to meet with one of our physicians.

What can I expect from a peripheral angiogram?

At the start of a peripheral angiography, a contrasting dye will be administered into a blood vessel of the designated treatment area. This dye will help establish visualization of blood flow through the arteries. Utilizing the advanced image technology of angiography, we will be able to trace the flow of the dye and assess whether further action may be necessary.

What if I have kidney disease? Can angiogram be performed?

Our doctors can do CO2 angiography instead of Dye (Iodine Dye). CACVI is equipped with CO2 angiography which is safe and effective way to do angiogram in kidney disease patient. CO2 doesn’t affect your kidney.

What is a peripheral angioplasty?

A peripheral angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to your legs using a medical “balloon” to widen blocked arteries. If necessary a stent is placed. A stent is a small, metal mesh tube that keeps the artery open.

What are the goals of peripheral angioplasty to address PAD?

The peripheral angioplasty procedure has two major end goals:

To alleviate symptoms of pain or discomfort so you can live your life more comfortably
To prevent the acceleration of atherosclerosis throughout the body, decreasing the risks of a heart attack and stroke

If you are unsure whether you may have peripheral artery disease, contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment.

What our patients say

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Michael Prae

A little blonde Russian woman named Natasha asked me to post about her renal procedure. It was done by Dr. Khorsandi at CACVI. They took absolutely amazing care of her and went above and beyond to treat her terribly high blood pressure. They lasered her renal artery. After the procedure it wouldn’t stop bleeding so they ended up staying w her at the center until 9pm. That’s when they finally had to call the ambulance to move her to E.R. All of the staff were incredibly professional and their care was second to none. Dr. Lala promised her that her high blood pressure would go away. It has and now she’s throwing out all her old med’s just like Lala promised. This group of Doctors is like no other. If you have any of these cardiac issues then you’ve found your saving grace. No need to look any further. They were incredibly patient and helpful in every medical way possible. Natasha has found a new way of living. Without her terrible pounding migraines she had on a daily basis. 5 stars all the way. They deserve all the praise possible. They provided a miracle. Thank you Dr’s Lala & Khorsandi.

3 weeks ago Tarzana Read on Google

Nick Derian

On behalf of my father, a patient of CACVI, I wanted to acknowledge and praise the entire team of this organization for its outstanding surgical expertise and knowledgeable/warm supporting staff. We had gone through countless recommendations that all claimed there was only one last option for treatment, amputation. That news is devastating for anyone to hear, and resulted in my father having little faith that the quality of his life would ever be the same... All that changed the moment we had our first interaction with this organization. The care, knowledge, and most importantly hope that there was still options if we acted fast was single moment that turned this entire nightmare around. Thank you CACVI for being the single most important piece to solving my father's health crisis. Dont think twice, make the appointment and atleast go meet and see them-- for us it was the moment that changed the trajectory of our situation forever for the better.

a month ago Tarzana Read on Google

Matt Golad

I’m 41 years old, and I have something called May-Thurner’s Syndrome. However, it wasn’t until I saw Dr. Vasim Lala a couple years ago that I was diagnosed with it. May-Thurner’s syndrome is when the main veins that split off into your legs is compressed by the main arteries that split off into your legs. The result is that the blood that should be coming back up through the leg veins pools at your ankles. My whole life until I was diagnosed, I was lethargic. My legs felt heavy. I started to develop purple bruising around my ankles in my twenties. I started to get varicose veins on my calves. I thought this was normal. I was living on “hard mode” and didn’t know it. If I was on my feet for extended periods of time, my legs would swell a lot. I thought maybe I need to lose some weight. When I started teaching a few years ago, I would be on my feet 6-8 hours a day. One day, I got home, and my left leg was so swollen my wife was concerned I had a blood clot. I went to the emergency room, and thankfully it was just superficial. I temporarily went on blood thinners and was recommended to see Dr. Lala. He changed my life. I’d shown my purpling ankles to GP’s. They’d seen my varicose veins. But none if them put all the signs together until I saw Dr. Lala. He diagnosed me with May-Thurner’s syndrome and recommend we put stents in my veins to prevent them from being compressed by the arteries. So we did the surgeries. Out patient procedures. My legs stopped swelling a lot. I started wearing compression socks. I had to be on blood thinners for a year, but eventually I was able to stop taking them which was great. But I still had varicose veins in my legs because they had widened from the blood pooling in them for years. I’ve had two ablations per leg since them, which closes the affected veins, and I’ve got a new lease on life. My legs feel lighter. They don’t swell nearly as much. The varicose veins have disappeared. Now, I’m lighter on my feet. I’m not lethargic. There’s a pep in my step. I have one more ablation each being scheduled. I’m thankful for Dr. Lala and his incredible team at CACVI for their diagnosis and treatment. It truly changed my life.

4 months ago Tarzana Read on Google

PAK SHIP ALL

On August 27, 2025, I had my leg Angio done with Dr. K. who is best of the best. Amazing Doctor and extremely knowledgeable. The nurse who helped me, JULIAN she has a very kind heart. She has a lot of knowledge and made me feel extremely relaxed. She went above and beyond her responsibilities. It seems God made her to be kind and caring for all the patients. I salute her and look forward to having same nurse for procedure in my other leg. I came home with a big Smile. Thank you Thank you Thank you

10 months ago Tarzana Read on Google

Ready to Find Out What is Causing Your Vein Symptoms?

A venography remains one of the most effective ways to diagnose deep vein thrombosis, detect blood flow problems, and uncover other abnormalities that may not appear on routine tests. Still, this procedure may not be suitable for everyone, especially people who have kidney failure and other severe conditions. That is why it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before taking this test.

If you suspect you have any type of vein problem and want to know the cause, CACVI is here to help. Backed by more than 30 years of experience, our medical team is in the best position to accurately diagnose your condition and guide you toward the right treatment. Schedule a free consultation today.

FAQs

Our expert medical team gathered the most common questions patients ask about venograms so you can understand exactly what to expect. If you don’t see your question here or want a more detailed explanation, you are welcome to book a free consultation to get personalized guidance for your situation.

What Are the Risks and Safety Considerations of Peripheral Venography?

Even though a peripheral venography is generally safe, there is a small risk of allergic reactions to the contrast dye. Some people may experience bruising, vein irritation, or mild discomfort at the injection site. In rare cases, kidney issues can also occur, especially in patients with existing kidney diseases.

How is Recovery After Peripheral Venography?

Recovery is usually quick, and most people can resume their normal activities shortly after the test. You may experience some mild soreness or bruising at the injection site but this typically goes away in a few days. It also helps to drink plenty of water because it helps your body flush out the contrast dye.

Why Would Someone Need a Venogram?

A venogram is ordered when doctors need a clearer view of your veins. It may also be used before surgeries or to guide treatments like thrombectomy. Essentially, it gives a detailed map of your veins to support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Is a Venogram Painful?

Most people describe the procedure as mildly uncomfortable but not painful. You might feel brief pressure during the IV insertion and a warm sensation as the contrast dye moves through your vein. These feelings are temporary and pass quickly. The rest of the procedure is generally well-tolerated.

Are You Sedated for a Venogram?

Because the procedure is a quick and minimally invasive one, sedation is not necessary. However, your provider may use a local anesthetic to numb the injection area. Sedation is only used in special cases or if a patient has significant anxiety.

Is a Venogram a CT Scan?

No, a venogram is not a CT scan. It is an X-ray procedure that uses contrast dye to visualize your veins in real time. However, a CT venogram is a different type of test that uses CT imaging with contrast to assess veins in certain areas of the body.

Dr. Moinakhtar Lala and Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi of CACVI

Dr. M Lala, Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi and Dr. V Lala

Meet Your Specialists

The Center for Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Interventions (CACVI) is led by Dr. M Lala, Dr. Khorsandi, and Dr. V Lala, who have over thirty years of practice with over 15,000 vascular and cardiac procedures performed. Our physicians are determined to provide each patient with experienced, compassionate care as they work diligently to improve your health.