What to expect before the procedure?

Your Cardiologist has explained to you that you need to have a Cardiac Catheterization; here is what you can expect. There are many reasons for why a heart catheterization is performed and your doctor will take time to explain your specific situation. Many times this procedure is performed because your doctor has noticed something abnormal on a diagnostic test such as a Stress Test, EKG or Echocardiogram. After the doctor explains the procedure to you the office staff or the Nurse if you are already in the hospital will schedule the procedure with the Cath Lab.

Every attempt will be made to get your procedure started on time however there are times that unanticipated emergencies will need to be done immediately which could delay your procedure. In any case you will need to allow for a whole day for any cath lab procedure.

1. 2 hour prep time
2. 1-2 hours for the procedure
3. 2-6 hours for recovery

What to expect during your procedure?

During your heart catheterization there will be 3 Cath Lab staff members and your Cardiologist in the room with you. One of the Cath Lab staff will explain the procedure and answer any questions you might have. The rest of the team will start to get you ready for your procedure, which will include:

1. Talking to you and making you feel comfortable.
2. Placing you on a heart, and blood pressure monitor.
3. Preparing your groin for the procedure.
4. Placing sterile drapes over your lower body.
5. Reading your chart and asking you questions regarding your medical history.

What to expect after the procedure ?

After the procedure the Cardiologists will discuss what he or she sees on the images. If there is no angioplasty, stents or surgery needed you will be taken off of the procedure table and moved into the recovery area.

If your Cardiologist feels that an angioplasty or stent procedure is warranted you will most likely stay on the table and have that completed at the same time. If your Cardiologist determines that surgery is the best option you will be taken to the recovery area where one of our heart surgeons will explain how they can help treat your heart disease.

In the recovery area the Nurse or Technologist will remove the tubes from your groin. If you are on blood thinners, we will perform blood tests to determine when it is safe to remove the tubes.

The procedure for removing the tubes takes approximately 15 – 20 minutes. In order to remove the tubes safely a Technologist or Nurse will need to put pressure on your groin for about 15 minutes. Discomfort is minimized because the groin is usually still anesthetized from the procedure however you will feel firm pressure while the tubes are being removed.

The Tubes are placed in an artery and arteries have a high pressure that is why an outside force is needed to help the artery heal itself. A small patch is also used to aid in sealing the artery. This patch is a small piece of paper with a medicine in it that promotes clotting of the blood in the skin and muscle above the artery.

Once the Technologist or Nurse has successfully stopped the bleeding they will remind you of the following instructions to comply with while you are on bedrest : –

• Keep your leg straight, do not bend at the knee
• Do not try to lift your head off of the pillow as this increases the pressure in your leg artery (femoral artery) and may cause it to bleed.
• If you need to cough or sneeze place firm pressure on the dressing to prevent the artery from bleeding again.
• If you feel anything warm or wet inform your Nurse immediately.
• Your Nurse will check your groin periodically while you are on bed rest to make sure your site is healing appropriately.
• Remove the dressing in 24 hours with warm water.