To prepare:

Prior to your procedure, tests may be scheduled such as electrocardiogram (ECG),
and chest x-ray.

Although some patients are hospitalized (inpatients) when they undergo catheterization,
it is most commonly done as an outpatient procedure.

What to expect: A nurse will start an intravenous (IV) line in your arm so that medications and fluids can be administered during the procedure. The cardiac catheterization room is cool and dimly lit. The air must be kept cool to prevent damage to the x-ray machinery that is used during the procedure. You will be offered warm blankets to make you more comfortable. You will lie on a special table. If you look above, you will see a large camera and several TV monitors.
You can watch your cardiac catheterization on the monitors. The nurse will clean your skin at the site where the catheter (narrow plastic tube) will be inserted (arm or groin). The catheter insertion site may be shaved. Sterile drapes are used to cover the site and help prevent infection. It is important that you keep your arms and hands down at your sides, under the sterile drapes. Electrodes (small, flat, sticky patches) will be placed on your chest. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (ECG), which monitors your heart rate and rhythm. You will be given a mild sedative to relax you, but you will be awake and conscious during the entire procedure. In some cases, a urinary catheter may be needed during the procedure. The doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the site. A plastic introducer sheath (a short, hollow tube through which the catheter is placed) is inserted in a blood vessel in your arm or groin. A catheter will be inserted through the sheath and threaded to the arteries of your heart. You may feel pressure as the introducer sheath or catheter is inserted, but you hould not feel pain. Tell the nurse or doctor if you feel any pain. When the catheter is in place, the lights will be dimmed and a small amount of contrast material will be injected through the catheters into your arteries and heart chambers. The contrast material outlines the vessels, valves and chambers. When the contrast material is injected into your heart, you may feel hot or flushed for several seconds. This is normal and will go away in a few seconds. Please tell the doctor or nurses if you feel: an allergic reaction (itching, tightness in the throat) nausea chest discomfort any other symptoms The x-ray camera will be used to take photographs of the arteries and heart chambers. You will be asked to hold your breath while the x-rays are taken. When all the photos have been taken, the catheter will be removed and the lights will be turned on. You may have an interventional procedure combined with your cardiac catheterization.
After the procedure: The catheters and sheath are removed.   If the catheter was inserted at the groin: The incision will be closed with applied pressure, suture device or a "plug." A "plug" is a material which works with your body's natural healing processes to form a clot in the artery. You will need to lie flat and keep the leg straight for two to six hours to prevent bleeding (less time if a plug was used). Your head cannot be raised more than 30 degrees (2 pillows high). Do not try to sit or stand.   A sterile dressing will be placed on the groin area to protect it from infection. The nurse will check your bandage regularly, but call your nurse if you think you are bleeding (have a wet, warm sensation) or if your toes begin to tingle or feel numb.