Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Cerebral Angiography
Preparation & Expectations
What is involved in preparation for the test?
Special preparation is needed before the test. A brief physical exam is done to evaluate pulses in the groin and legs. If a person has a weak pulse in the groin, a different artery will be used to insert the catheter. The doctor will also review the person's medical and surgical history. He or she may ask whether the person:
Before the test, the person's blood is tested to check for any bleeding tendency and to check kidney function. A woman of childbearing age will be screened for pregnancy, usually with a urine or blood pregnancy test. This is done because the radiation from the test could harm an unborn child.
The person cannot eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before the test. Dentures, eyeglasses, and jewelry, such as a necklace or earrings, should be removed before the exam.
The risks, benefits, and complications of the test are usually explained to the person on the day of the procedure. Some possible complications from the test include:
If procedures are done during the exam, such as angioplasty, additional risks are involved. These will be discussed by the doctor before the test.
This test may be done on an outpatient basis. This means that the person can go home after the test. Sometimes, a person must stay in the hospital for a day or more after the test. Often, this test is used for people in the hospital with serious or life-threatening central nervous system disorders.