| There are a number of double- and triple-checks to make sure that the catheter is firmly in place in my blood vessel. A special sterile fluid is pumped into my arm immediately after the catheter is inserted. If my blood vessel has been missed, the test fluid would inflate under my skin and cause a "bubble." But, if the needle is in the middle of my blood vessel, the fluid simply goes into my bloodstream. The reason for all this testing is because the perfusion contrast agent MUST be delivered to my brain correctly when I am getting my MRI, and this is not able to happen without the catheter being correctly inserted. When this perfusion contrast agent is pumped into my arm, it is pumped in so fast that I can feel it travel up my arm to my brain. |
