CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION & ANGIOCARDIOGRAPHY

General Information

DEFINITION--Diagnostic procedures to examine functions of the heart.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Heart muscle and valves; coronary arteries; large artery in arm or leg.

REASONS FOR SURGERY

• Evaluation of chest pain.
• Diagnosis of a congenital heart defect and valvular-heart disease.
• Measurement of the heart muscle's ability to pump blood.
• Identification of narrowing or obstruction in the coronary arteries.

SURGICAL RISK INCREASES WITH

• Stress; obesity; smoking.
• Recent illness.
• Alcoholism or chronic illness.

What To Expect

WHO OPERATES--Cardiologist.

WHERE PERFORMED--Hospital.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Before surgery: Blood and urine studies; ECG (See Glossary).
• During surgery: Intracardiac pressures; cardiac output; cinematography; fluoroscopy; ECG (See Glossary for all).
• After surgery: ECG; blood studies.

ANESTHESIA--Local anesthesia by injection.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

• The cardiac catheter is inserted into an artery in the patient's arm or leg. Fluoroscopy provides guidance for the catheter to pass through the artery to the heart.
• Blood-pressure readings are taken, and the heart's ability to pump blood is tested.
• The catheter is guided into the coronary-artery system. Dye injection allows identification of any disease in the coronary arteries.
• When all examinations have been completed, the catheter is withdrawn, and the artery into which it was inserted is compressed until bleeding stops. If an arm artery was used, it may need to be repaired.
• The skin is closed with several sutures, which usually can be removed about 1 week after surgery.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Excessive bleeding.
• Reaction to dye (allergy).
• Surgical-wound infection.
• Development of hematomas (collections of blood) where skin was pierced to enter artery.
• Blood clot in an artery.
• Heartbeat disturbance.
• Cardiac arrest (rare).

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY--0 to 1 day.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Expect complete healing without complications. Allow about 2 weeks for recovery from surgery. Urgent surgery is sometimes indicated by procedure.

Postoperative Care

† Between showers, keep the wound dry with a bandage for the first 2 or 3 days after surgery. If a bandage gets wet, change it promptly. Apply non--

prescription antibiotic ointment to the wound before applying new bandages.

• If the wound bleeds during the first 24 hours after surgery, press a clean tissue or cloth to it for 10 to 15 minutes continuously.

† You may use non--prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, for minor pain.

ACTIVITY

• Avoid vigorous exercise for 2 weeks after surgery.
• Resume driving 2 days after returning home.

DIET---No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

† You experience sudden or severe chest pain.

• Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area.
• You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
• You develop decreased sensation or circulation in the limb where artery was entered.