Why catheterization is done

Why might I need cardiac catheterization? Your doctor may use cardiac cath to help diagnosis these heart conditions:. This is a gradual clogging of the arteries by fatty materials and other substances in the blood stream. This is an enlargement of the heart due to thickening or weakening of the heart muscle Congenital heart disease. Defects in one or more heart structures that occur during fetal development, such as a ventricular septal defect hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart are called congenital heart defects.

This may lead to abnormal blood flow within the heart. Heart failure. This condition, in which the heart muscle has become too weak to pump blood well, causes fluid buildup congestion in the blood vessels and lungs, and edema swelling in the feet, ankles, and other parts of the body.

Heart valve disease. Malfunction of one or more of the heart valves that can affect blood flow within the heart. You may have a cardiac cath if you have recently had one or more of these symptoms: Chest pain angina Shortness of breath Dizziness Extreme tiredness If a screening exam, such as an electrocardiogram ECG or stress test suggests there may be a heart condition that needs to be explored further, your doctor may order a cardiac cath.

Another reason for a cath procedure is to evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle if chest pain occurs after the following: Heart attack Coronary artery bypass surgery Coronary angioplasty the opening of a coronary artery using a balloon or other method or placement of a stent a tiny metal coil or tube placed inside an artery to keep the artery open There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a cardiac cath.

What are the risks of cardiac catheterization? Possible risks associated with cardiac cath include: Bleeding or bruising where the catheter is put into the body the groin, arm, neck, or wrist Pain where the catheter is put into the body Blood clot or damage to the blood vessel that the catheter is put into Infection where the catheter is put into the body Problems with heart rhythm usually temporary More serious, but rare complications include: Ischemia decreased blood flow to the heart tissue , chest pain, or heart attack Sudden blockage of a coronary artery A tear in the lining of an artery Kidney damage from the dye used Stroke If you are pregnant or think you could be, tell your doctor due to risk of injury to the fetus from a cardiac cath.

How do I prepare for cardiac catheterization? Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and give you a chance to ask any questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a reaction to any contrast dye; if you are allergic to iodine; or if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, and anesthetic agents local and general.

You will need to fast not eat or drink for a certain period before the procedure. Your doctor will tell you how long to fast, usually overnight. If you are pregnant or think you could be, tell your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any body piercings on your chest or abdomen belly. Tell your doctor of all medicines prescription and over-the-counter , vitamins, herbs, and supplements that you are taking. You may be asked to stop certain medicines before the procedure.

Your doctor will give you detailed instructions. Let your doctor know if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant blood-thinning medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting.

You may need to stop some of these medicines before the procedure. Let you doctor know if you have any kidney problems. The contrast dye used during the cardiac cath can cause kidney damage in people who have poor kidney function. In some cases, blood tests may be done before and after the test to be sure that your kidneys are working properly. Your doctor may request a blood test before the procedure to see how long it takes your blood to clot.

Other blood tests may be done as well. Tell your doctor if you have heart valve disease. Tell your doctor if you have a pacemaker or any other implanted cardiac devices.

You may get a sedative before the procedure to help you relax. If a sedative is used, you will need someone to drive you home afterward. Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparations. What happens during a cardiac catheterization? Generally, a cardiac cath follows this process: You'll remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. You may wear your dentures or hearing aids if you use either of these.

Before the procedure, you should empty your bladder then change into a hospital gown. A healthcare professional may shave the area where the catheter will be put in. The catheter is most often put in at the groin area, but other places used are the wrist, inside the elbow, or the neck. A healthcare professional will start an intravenous IV line in your hand or arm before the procedure to inject the dye and to give you IV fluids, if needed.

You will lie on your back on the procedure table. You will be connected to an ECG monitor that records the electrical activity of your heart and monitors your heart during the procedure using small electrodes that stick to your skin. Your vital signs heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure. Read more about the types of urinary catheter. If you need a long-term urinary catheter, you will be given detailed advice about looking after it before you leave hospital.

This will include advice about getting new catheter supplies, reducing the risk of complications such as infections, spotting signs of potential problems, and when you should seek further medical advice. You should be able to live a relatively normal life with a urinary catheter. The catheter and bag can be concealed under clothes and you should be able to carry out most everyday activities, including working, exercising, swimming and having sex.

Read more about living with a urinary catheter. The main problem caused by urinary catheters are infections in the urethra, bladder, or less commonly the kidneys. These types of infection are known as urinary tract infections UTIs and they usually need to be treated with antibiotics. Catheters can also sometimes lead to other problems, such as bladder spasms similar to stomach cramps , leakages, blockages and damage to the urethra.

Read more about the risks of urinary catheterisation. There are several different types of urinary catheter, which are inserted and used in different ways.

The main types of catheter are outlined below. In most cases, intermittent urinary catheters are recommended. These catheters are inserted several times a day, for just long enough to drain your bladder, and are then removed. You should be taught how to do this yourself. This is known as clean intermittent self-catheterisation CISC.

The catheter is normally inserted into your bladder via the urethra the tube that carries urine out of your body. The sterile catheter is usually pre-lubricated and ready to use to reduce any discomfort or damage inserting the catheter. One end of the catheter is either left open-ended to allow drainage into a toilet or attached to a bag to collect the urine.

The other end is guided through your urethra until it enters your bladder and urine starts to flow. An indwelling urinary catheter is inserted in the same way as an intermittent catheter, but the catheter is left in place. The catheter is held in the bladder by a water-filled balloon, which prevents it falling out.

These types of catheters are often referred to as Foley catheters. Urine is drained through a tube connected to a collection bag, which can either be strapped to the inside of your leg or attached to a stand on the floor.

Indwelling catheters are not always free-draining and the catheter is sometimes fitted with a valve. The valve can be opened to allow urine to be drained into a toilet and closed to allow the bladder to fill with urine until drainage is convenient. Most indwelling catheters are not suitable to remain in place for longer than 3 months, so will need to be changed regularly.

A suprapubic catheter is a type of indwelling catheter. Rather than being inserted through your urethra, the catheter is inserted through a hole in your abdomen and then directly into your bladder. This procedure can be carried out under general anaesthetic , epidural anaesthetic or local anaesthetic.

A suprapubic catheter is used when the urethra is damaged or blocked, or when a person has a long-term condition and is unable to use an intermittent catheter. The catheter may be secured to the side of your body and attached to a collection bag strapped to your leg. Alternatively, a valve can be attached that opens to allow urine to be drained into a toilet, and closes to allow the bladder to fill with urine until drainage is convenient. Before being discharged from hospital, a specialist nurse will give you detailed advice about looking after your catheter.

You will be given a supply of equipment to take with you when leaving hospital, and told where to get further supplies in the future. In most cases, catheter equipment is available on prescription from pharmacies. If you have been taught to use intermittent catheters, you should insert them several times a day to drain urine into a toilet or bag. These catheters are usually designed to be used once and then thrown away. How often intermittent catheters need to be used differs from person to person.

You may be advised to use them at regular intervals spaced evenly throughout the day, or only when you feel you need the toilet. Indwelling catheters can either drain into a bag attached to your leg, which has a tap on the bottom so it can be emptied, or they can be emptied into the toilet or suitable receptacle directly using a valve.

A small straw-sized tube called a sheath will be inserted into the vessel. The doctor will gently guide a catheter a long, thin tube into your vessel through the sheath. A video screen will show the position of the catheter as it is threaded through the major blood vessels and to the heart.

Various instruments may be placed at the tip of the catheter. They include instruments to measure the pressure of blood in each heart chamber and in blood vessels connected to the heart, view the interior of blood vessels, take blood samples from different parts of the heart, or remove a tissue sample biopsy from inside the heart. When a catheter is used to inject a dye that can be seen on X-rays, the procedure is called angiography.

When a catheter is used to clear a narrowed or blocked artery, the procedure is called angioplasty or a percutaneous coronary intervention PCI.

When a catheter is used to widen a narrowed heart valve opening, the procedure is called valvuloplasty. The doctor will remove the catheters and the sheath. Your nurse will put pressure on the site to prevent bleeding. Sometimes a special closure device is used. The procedure lasts about an hour. What happens after cardiac catheterization? You will go to a recovery room for a few hours. During this time, you have to lie flat.

Pressure will be applied to the puncture site to stop the bleeding. You will be asked to keep your leg straight and will not be able to get out of bed. Your heartbeat and other vital signs pulse and blood pressure will be checked during your recovery.

Report any swelling, pain or bleeding at the puncture site, or if you have chest pain. Before you leave the hospital, you will receive written instructions about what to do at home. What happens after I get home? Call your doctor if: Your leg with the puncture becomes numb or tingles, or your foot feels cold or turns blue.

The area around the puncture site looks more bruised. The puncture site swells or fluids drain from it. Call if: The puncture site swells up very fast. Bleeding from the puncture site does not slow down when you press on it firmly. How can I learn more about cardiac catheterization? Talk with your doctor. Here are some good questions to ask: What will you learn from the procedure? When will I get my results? When can I resume my normal activities?

What medicines will I need to take? Will I need another treatment?