UWHealth Heart Catheterization Treatments Instructions
- August 20, 2024
- UWHealth
Table of Contents
UWHealth Heart Catheterization Treatments
Product Information
Specifications:
- Product Name: Heart Catheterization Kit
- Usage: Medical procedure to check the left side of the heart
- Components: Catheter, Xray dye, monitors
- Recommended Setting: Special Xray room or Cath Lab
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of a heart catheterization?
A: Heart catheterization is a test to evaluate the functioning of the left side of the heart by examining its shape, motion, and blood pressure.
Q: Where does the catheter go during the procedure?
A: The catheter is inserted through a blood vessel and advanced into the heart to perform the necessary measurements and observations.
Heart Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a test to check the left side of your heart. This test is done in a special Xray room. Your doctor might look at the shape of your heart, the motion of your heart, or the blood pressure inside the chambers.
In the Cath Lab
This test gives information about how your heart is working. It can:
- Check blood flow and blood pressure in the chambers of the heart.
- Check how the heart muscle moves.
- Find out if a heart defect is present and how severe it is.
- Find out how well the heart valves work.
During The Test
- You will get medicine to help you relax.
- You will get a shot to numb the skin where the catheter goes in.
- A thin tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in the groin or the arm. The doctor moves the catheter through the blood vessel into your heart.
- You may feel pressure when the doctor moves the catheter through your blood vessel into your heart.
- Xray dye will be injected into your heart. The doctor will watch on special monitors as the Xray dye moves in your heart.
- Xray dye helps the doctor see blood flow in your heart.
- You may feel hot or flushed for several seconds when Xray dye is used.
- The test will take about 60 minutes. If a problem is found and the doctor treats it, it can take a few hours longer.
After The Test
- You may stay in bed for several hours. You may or may not need to stay in the hospital overnight.
- You will get more instructions for what to do at home.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments. It is also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Your health care team may have given you this information as part of your care. If so, please use it and call if you have any questions. If this information was not given to you as part of your care, please check with your doctor. This is not medical advice. This is not to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Because each person’s health needs are different, you should talk with your doctor or others on your health care team when using this information. If you have an emergency, please call 911. Copyright © 7/2024 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4381