The area the doctor will be working on will be washed and shaved. Fifteen to thirty minutes before your cath; you may receive an injection that will
help you relax. If you do not receive any injection before you are transported to the lab, a nurse will give you medication in the cath lab before the procedure begins.
An intravenous solution will be started in your arm before going to the Cardiac cath lab. The nurse will ask you to empty your bladder and the transporting personnel will bring you to the cath lab on a stretcher.
During the Cardiac Catheterization
When you arrive in the Cardiac catheterization room, you will be asked to move to an x-ray table. Electrodes will be placed on your chest so that your heart rate and EKG pattern can be monitored. Because the room must be
absolutely sterile, you will be draped just as if you were going to have an operation. Your doctor, the nurse, and technologists will be wearing surgical gown and gloves.
Only the area of the skin where the catheter is to be inserted will be exposed. You will be awake during the procedure and maybe asked to hold your breath or to cough. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area where
your doctor will insert the catheter. Because the area will be numb, you should not experience any pain at the catheter site. When the dye is injected into your heart, you may feel a warm, flushed feeling that lasts
only a few seconds. This is normal sensation and is nothing to worry about. After the catheter is removed, a sealing device or firm pressure will be applied over the catheter site for several minutes before a bandage
is applied. You will be given special instructions before returning to your room. After The Procedure
When you are back in your room, your pulse and blood pressure will be checked frequently, and you will be required to stay in bed 2-4 hours, with your legs straight. You will be given a bedpan or urinal to pass your urine. The dye may cause you to pass more urine that usual; and for this reason, we would like you to drink a lot of fluids. Discussing the Results of Your Procedure
Your doctor should have all the information from your Cardiac Catheterization later in the day, and will probably discuss the results with you sometime during the afternoon or evening. < BACK |
