FAQ

WHAT IS CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION?

Cardiac Catheterization is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to examine the blood vessels of your heart (coronary arteries) to see if there are any blockages.
It also checks the function of your heart valves and how well your heart pumps blood to the body.
It is performed at P&S Surgical Hospital on a daily basis and is an important test used to diagnose heart disease.
Cardiac Catheterization is NOT a surgical procedure.

HOW IS IT DONE ?

Your catheterization will be performed in the Cardiac Cath Lab by a cardiologist and a specialized team of nurses and radiological technicians.
You will be placed on a table that has a large x-ray camera above it.
Pictures of the procedure are viewed by the team on television screens close by.
Your doctor will decide whether the procedure will be performed through your leg or arm.
The procedure will begin by inserting a small, thin plastic tube (catheter) into an artery in the groin or arm.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

You will be awake during the catheterization, but you will be given medication to relax.
The catheterization usually lasts 30 minutes but can be longer if blockages are found and need to be addressed.
Your cardiologist will meet with you afterward to review the results of the procedure.
For routine cardiac caths, you can expect to be discharged within 24 hours.

BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

For a morning heart cath, you may not eat or drink anything after midnight.
For an afternoon heart cath, you may have clear liquids for breakfast. Clear liquids include: apple juice, tea, water, Sprite, ginger ale, Jell-o and chicken broth. Your cardiologist may want you to take your medicine with a little water.
Let your doctor or nurse know if you are allergic to any medications or foods.
If you have an allergy to the contrast dye, tell your cardiologist or nurse immediately.
If you are diabetic, remind your cardiologist of your diet, medicine or insulin needs.
You should take your medications (except Digoxin and “water pills”) with a few sips of water.
If you are taking Coumadin (Warfarin), you must inform your doctor.
Do not smoke because this may affect the test.
An EKG, chest x-ray and blood work will all be done before your heart cath.
At the hospital, you will sign a consent form. This gives us permission to perform the heart cath.
You will be wearing a hospital gown. Do not wear jewelry into the lab, but you may wear your dentures, hearing aid, or glasses.
As you enter the cath lab, a team of doctors, nurses, and radiological technicians in surgical scrub clothes will greet you.
The temperature in the cath lab is kept cool to protect the computer and x-ray equipment.
The preparation for the heart cath takes about 30 minutes.
The staff will prepare you by shaving your groin or arm, then cleansing the area with an antiseptic, and covering it with sterile drapes.
Your heart rhythm and blood pressure will be continually monitored.
An IV will be started.
You may receive medicine to relax you.
You will receive an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area where your doctor will insert the catheter. You will feel pressure at the insertion site. If the procedure becomes uncomfortable, however, please tell the staff.

DURING THE PROCEDURE:

A catheter will be placed into your artery. The catheter is guided through the blood vessels and into your heart. During this time it’s normal to experience some heart palpitations.
Once the catheter is in place, dye is injected. Pictures of your heart will be taken at various angles. You may feel a warm flush, or become nauseated. These feelings are normal and should pass.
The dye highlights the coronary arteries, the chambers of the heart, and the heart valves. If there is a blockage in the coronary arteries, or if there is a problem with your valves, the doctor can see this on the monitor at the time of the procedure.
Your doctor will discuss the results with you once the heart cath is complete.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

After your procedure you will be taken to the Cardiac Cath Recovery Room where the catheters will be removed, and the cath lab nurse will monitor you.
When you return to your room, you will be given fluids to drink, which will help your kidneys “flush” the dye from your body. You will also receive fluids through your IV.
A couple of hours later, the head of the bed will be raised and you will be offered solid foods.
The dye and all of the fluid that you drink may cause an increase in urination. Sometimes patients have difficulty urinating while lying flat. If you need assistance with a bedpan, call your nurse.
Call your nurse if you:
- see bleeding at the catheter insertion site
- feel tingling or notice numbness below the catheter insertion site
- have pain at the catheter insertion site
- develop chest pain

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

You may shower after the dressing is removed, and your nurse or doctor has examined the puncture site.
If your procedure was uncomplicated, your doctor may allow you to return to normal activities within 48 hours. There may be some restrictions, depending on your diagnosis.
Your cardiologist will determine follow-up care.
Continue to drink plenty of fluids for two days after the test.
Driving should be avoided for 24 hours after your procedure.
Avoid lifting (5 pounds or more), stretching or straining for the first 48 hours after your procedure.

NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY:

If your puncture site changes in any of the following ways:

Increase in bruising/color
Increase in hardness
Bleeding
Hot/Swollen

Or if you develop fever or numbness