Cardiac Catheterization

What Is Cardiac Catheterization?

Cardiac catheterization (known sometimes as just "cardiac cath") is a diagnostic procedure that allows your doctor to study the condition of your heart, including the muscle, valves, and arteries.

 

If you have been experiencing symptoms because of a heart condition, such as chest pain, lightheadedness, breathing problems, or fainting spells, this procedure will allow problems such as blocked or narrowed arteries to be identified. If any problems are discovered, your doctor can recommend ways to treat them.

 

 

More Information About Heart Diseases

Several different heart diseases can affect your heart valves, your coronary arteries, and the pumping ability of your heart. Heart valves are made of thin flaps of tissue that open and close to let blood through. Sometimes, valves will stenose, or narrow. When this happens, blood is forced through a smaller opening than normal. Less blood circulates through the heart and to the rest of the body.

 

Another problem related to valves is called incompetence, also called regurgitation or leakage. This occurs when a valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards.

 

While there are four valves in the heart, during a cardiac catheterization, your doctor is only able to look at two of them, the aortic and the mitral.

 

Heart disease in the coronary arteries occurs when they become clogged from a buildup of cells, fat, and cholesterol. This buildup is called plaque. As the inside of the coronary arteries gather plaque and narrow, they restrict the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. Without proper blood and oxygen, the heart muscle eventually weakens and deteriorates. This decreases the heart's ability to pump normally.

 

When you are performing an activity that requires physical effort, your heart muscle demands more blood and oxygen. However, if the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, valves are not functioning properly, or the heart is not pumping effectively, this need cannot be met. As a result, you may experience symptoms, such as:

 

 

These symptoms may indicate heart disease, which can lead to a stroke, heart attack, or even heart failure.

 

The Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

Cardiac catheterization can be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, meaning you could either stay overnight at the hospital after the surgery or be released to go home the same day as your procedure. You will be asked to not eat or drink anything for at least eight hours before cardiac catheterization. Be sure to arrange a driver to take you home following the surgery, because you will not be able to drive.

 

On the day of cardiac catheterization, at your scheduled time, you will be taken to a pre-procedure room, where you will be set up with an IV, and EKG patches will be applied to your body to monitor your heart activity during the procedure. Also make sure to bring a list of your current medications, including prescriptions and any over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking.

 

As you enter the cath lab, which is where the procedure is performed, you will be moved to the x-ray table, where you will lie on your back. An automatic blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm. To check oxygen levels in your blood, a pulse oximeter, which is a measuring device, will be taped to your finger. From the x-ray table, you will see several heart monitors and an x-ray screen that resembles a TV screen.

 

To begin the cardiac catheterization, your doctor first chooses an artery for the catheter entry site (usually the arm or leg). Once the entry site is located, a catheter is inserted and carefully guided through the aorta and to the coronary arteries. Once the catheter reaches the coronary arteries, a special dye is injected into them; when the dye shows up on the x-ray screen, your doctor will be able to see any blockages that may be present. After this, the catheter will be redirected to your left ventricle, where a large amount of dye is injected; this is to test how your ventricle is contracting and if your valves are functioning properly.

 

What Happens After the Procedure?

After your cardiac catheterization, you will be moved to a recovery room, where you will be monitored closely. You will be asked to rest your leg or arm (wherever the catheter entry site is) and drink extra fluids for the next 24 hours to help flush out the dye from the x-ray. After you leave the hospital to continue the recovery process at home, your healthcare provider will give you specific wound-care instructions and discharge instructions with regards to driving, activity level, and medication.

 

As part of your cardiac catheterization recovery, your doctor will evaluate the information obtained during the procedure. Normally, you will be advised of the findings within 24 hours of your cardiac catheterization.

 

It is possible that your doctor may find that your heart is basically normal and does not require any treatment. However, if the findings are not normal, you and your doctor can discuss what was found, along with treatment alternatives or choices.

 

 

Possible Complications of Cardiac Catheterization

As with all surgical procedures, there are possible complications with cardiac catheterization. Fortunately, when complications do develop, they are usually temporary. Minor cardiac catheterization complications may include:

 

 

There is also a possibility that more serious but rare problems may develop during the procedure. These major complications include: