Once you lay down, you'll receive a local anesthetic at the catheter insertion point. If you are sensitive to or frightened of needles, this step could be anxiety-causing. You may feel a flush of heat upon injection of the contrast medium, but this will pass in a few seconds. Remain very still while the machine takes the x-ray images. On occasion, the doctor may ask you to hold your breath or shift your body to ensure the clearest possible image.

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