How to Prepare for a Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

Cardiac catheterization means to insert a tube through an artery or vein in the leg or arm of the body in the heart. After this is inserted, some different processes are applied in order to treat artery diseases. The purpose of the catheter can be to put dye in the heart and the arteries or to send electrical impulses in order to monitor irregular heartbeats.

You need to know what exactly is done in this procedure so that you are cautious of the things which are not allowed. You should select a good doctor for this procedure and go along with someone who is close to you so that the procedure is carried out safely.

What to keep in mind before Cardiac Catheterization?

Just before the process of cardiac catheterization begins, you need to keep a few things in mind.

Don’t drink or eat anything for 6 to 8 hours prior to your test. However, if you are a diabetic patient, then you should consult a doctor and let him know your problem, as not eating anything for such a prolonged time may affect your blood sugar level.
Let your doctor know about all kinds of medicines you take, and your doctor might forbid you to take some medicines before the test. This might be the case, especially if you take blood thinners, aspirin, or Plavix. This is important as the healthcare team needs to know exactly how much and what medicines you take and what you are allergic to.
If you have any doubt that you are pregnant, then you should tell your doctor about it.
Before the process starts, you need to empty your bladder and wear a hospital gown.
You will be provided with a consent form that you will need to sign before the procedure begins.

Prior to the cardiac catheterization procedure, some X-rays and blood tests will be conducted. Apart from this, a needle will also be put in your arm so that if required, medicines can be given to you during the test. These also include medicines to relax you before or during the procedure.

The catheter will be put in one or both the legs, and the area will be cleaned of all the hair, as well as wiped with an antiseptic solution so that no infection can occur.

With all the preparation done, you will now be in the Cardiovascular Intervention Center. You will be around television monitors, blood pressure machines, and heart monitors. Your heart will be connected to an electrocardiogram so that it can be properly monitored.

Apart from this, anesthesia will be given to you so that the area where the catheter is inserted becomes numb. This can be uncomfortable, but you need to keep going. After that, some tubes will be put inside so that the arteries and veins can be accessed.

What happens after Cardiac Catheterization Procedure?

The doctors will examine your condition, and once they are satisfied, only then you will be discharged and sent home. However, if the doctors notice a problem, they will keep you in the hospital for one more day. Nevertheless, you will have to wait for at least 3 to 4 hours so that the effect of anesthesia wears off. After the procedure and once you are stable, you will be able to eat and drink. If your condition is serious, then other procedures will be carried out.

You should not bend till a few hours after you have had your test done. Keep your head in a flat position, and your doctor will guide you about how long you’re going to have to lie down flat. The nurses will keep on monitoring your blood pressure as well as heart rate, and keep on checking the place where they inserted the catheter.

You need to keep in mind that if you are suffering from side pain or blood oozing out from the place where the catheter was inserted, you need to call the doctor immediately.

Instructions to discharge the patient after the Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

After your cardiac catheterization procedure is completed, you can be discharged from the hospital, depending upon your condition. If your doctor says you can be discharged, you need to keep the following things in mind:

Call someone to pick you from the hospital and drive you safely back home
Keep any adult with you for 12 to 13 hours to avoid any accidents or problems.
If your leg where the catheter was inserted starts bleeding, lie down immediately, and put pressure there with your hand so that the blood cannot be seen. Call your doctor immediately.
After you have had your procedure done, you need to be very careful about not lifting heavy weight or bags or do any exercise till at least 2 weeks.
You can start eating your normal diet if your doctor allows you to.
You can start to shower from the next day, but you need to be careful about not submerging your entire body under the water for at least one week. Remove all the bandages and then put on new ones.

The bottom line

It is possible that after seeing your results, your doctor might determine that you need open-heart surgery or a bypass surgery done. However, you need not worry about it as the process will be done smoothly, and you just need to be strong about it.

So this was all that there was about preparing for a cardiac catheterization procedure that you needed to know. Have a look at all the information mentioned above so that you get a clear understanding of what is required before you start on with your cardiac catheterization procedure.

The risks involved in this procedure are minimal, and doctors prescribe medications that help you to relax after you have had your treatment done, so you need not worry about it. The recovery time is also quite fast, so you can relax. If you need to undergo a cardiac catheterization procedure, book an appointment with some of the best heart specialists at South Florida Cardiovascular Specialists today!