What to Expect During

Cardiac Catheterization

There are usually several cath lab staff members present during the procedure, including a cardiologist, nurses, technicians, and other personnel.

A small incision is made in the numbed skin; again, this is usually in the groin or neck area. A needle is used to make a tiny hole in the blood vessel for inserting the catheters.

One or more angiography catheters are inserted into your blood vessel and advanced toward the heart. Your physician will follow catheter progress on a monitor hooked up to the fluoro camera. In fact, most of the staff will be watching the screen. You may feel some pressure at the site where catheters are being inserted, but you will not feel the catheter inside your body.

Once the catheter is in position, dye can be injected. The catheters may need to be moved, and more dye injected, several times during the procedure. You may feel a warm flush when the dye is injected; it is a normal reaction to the dye and should only last for 15 to 20 seconds. Be sure to let someone know if at any time you feel dizziness, nausea, tingling, numbness, cold hands or feet, or chest discomfort.

When your physician is satisfied with the information from the test, the catheter is removed and firm pressure is applied to the incision in your groin or arm until the hole in the vessel closes, usually about a half an hour Pressure can be held manually or by placing a sandbag or c-clamp on the wound area. Following manual pressure, you will need to lie flat for 4 to 8 hours. Some physicians will choose to use a vascular closure device, which may eliminate the need for manual pressure following the procedure. A closure device (usually a plug) can reduce the time you need to wait after the procedure. A dressing will be applied. The entire procedure can last from about an hour to several hours, depending upon what is done and how the wound is closed.

It is normal to experience some back pain from lying flat, or to feel cold upon leaving the cath lab. These feelings should go away very soon, but notify a staff member so they can provide you with pain medication or blankets.