heart cath??

[scuba_898]

hey i just got scheduled for a heart cath on monday. I don't really know what to expect, could any of you tell me about it.

I have the whole family coming in for it. I was told that it is a simple outpatient procedure, but they don't care i think...there coming anyway.

Just found out monday that the doc says surgery in the next month or two, things seem to moving really fast!!

thanks

 

[escargome]

Basically like an angiogram. On mine they went in through the femoral artery in my groin. Shot dye to take a look at the heart function plus arteries around heart, just in case you need by-pass of blocked areas. Spent 6 hours with pressure bandage at site area (yuk, I had hard time being still). Otherwise no big deal. Several people on this site had some type of plug put in to stop bleeding and help heal area. I'm sure you will hear from everyone. Hang in there. Although you family might be a little bored.

 

[tobagotwo]

Yep, everyone will get very bored.

You have to be still for a long time afterwards (even with the patch, although not as long). Either way, the slightest bleeding and they start the clock all over again. Not even supposed to lift up your head.

You can usually request the level of anesthesia, from almost nothing to just about out of it. I chose next to nothing last time, out of curiosity. I have another one coming up on the 24th. Might let 'em use a bit more this time.

Best wishes,

 

[Janie]

Hi!

I had my first heart cath 3 weeks before my surgery. It isn't too bad and the worst part for me was laying still. My cath was around 11:00 am and I got out around 6:00 pm. One word of advice is go to to the bathroom when you get the chance before your procedure.

 

[buncle]

when I had mine the cardio nurse in the office gave me a booklet and told me when to report for pre-op at the hospital.They took ekg , blood, and asked alot of questions.They told me when to show up for the actual test.The pre-op nurse told me it would be like a colonoscopy that I would be "out" and remember nothing.When I got to the table for the procedure I am wide awake and said "Hello, I am still awake!" The nurse said thats ok. I said NO its not.( it probably would have been fine but, i wasnt mentally prepared for that)So in goes the meds. and I was feeling very little.Much better because I was nervous.It didnt hurt at all - just alittle pressure and it was over quite soon.Then as just lay down still for 4-6 hours.I had a little tenderness in my groin for about a week but, no big deal.You will do fine.

 

[scuba_898]

thanks for the advice fellas

 

[rckrzy1]

Yep, everyone will get very bored.

You have to be still for a long time afterwards (even with the patch, although not as long). Either way, the slightest bleeding and they start the clock all over again. Not even supposed to lift up your head.

You can usually request the level of anesthesia, from almost nothing to just about out of it. I chose next to nothing last time, out of curiosity. I have another one coming up on the 24th. Might let 'em use a bit more this time.

Best wishes,

Yep, I'm a recovering addict and asked for just enough. But after they started I said " hey bar keep, another round here please " As my groin was starting to bother me.

 

[Jkm7]

My cath went very easily for me. When the anesthesia nurse said they would be giving me a little medication to make me drowsy, I said Why a little? If you don't want to remember much about the procedure or have no interest in watching, tell them you want more meds. They just about always oblige.

I had the plug inserted and everything went fine.
No bruise, no soreness, no pain.

The tiny plug dissolves within 90 days and there is no sign of it afterward.
Your family really doesn't need to all come unless that is how you want it. These caths are routine and everyday procedures. Very rare for any difficulty.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Do a search for "heart cath", or "cath" or "catheterization" or "angiogram" and you will find links to more posts than you will have the time or desire to read.

Most people report that it was "NO BIG DEAL" AFTER their first one (Been There, Done That). Watching the catheter being moved around your coronary arteries on the monitor is 'kinda cool'. Almost NO ONE feels anything other than some 'pressure' when the guide is inserted (after numbing with some sort of local anesthetic similar to what dentists use).

 

[scuba_898]

Sounds like a lot of fun watching it AL. I did my research on it. looks like no big deal. everythings just moving really fast though. which is good, less time to wait and worry. I know it all work out fine too.

 

[ctyguy]

if your expecting some big procedure your going to be disappointed. I had never had any type of procedure before the heart cath, nada, zippo. So I was a bit nervous. Other than laying around all day its was a total non-issue.

 

[Bina]

I was offered a little bit of tranq (Ativan) before going in. Thank you very much to Nurse "Happy".

 

[BAVD John]

Yep, I've had 3 myself. It's no big deal. Twice I was awake during the procedure and one time I slept through the procedure. The times I was awake I did watch the monitor as the doctor was doing his thing. My cardio used a new plug in my groin this last time, about 4 weeks ago before my AVR, I really don't remember lying in bed very long compared to my first procedure 4 years ago when I had my first and only stent implanted. You will do fine and you will appreciated having the support of your family with you.

 

[hensylee]

Basically like an angiogram. On mine they went in through the femoral artery in my groin. Shot dye to take a look at the heart function plus arteries around heart, just in case you need by-pass of blocked areas. Spent 6 hours with pressure bandage at site area (yuk, I had hard time being still). Otherwise no big deal. Several people on this site had some type of plug put in to stop bleeding and help heal area. I'm sure you will hear from everyone. Hang in there. Although you family might be a little bored.

I had the angiogram and it was like this one with a plug afterward and because of the plug I didn't have to lie there with sandbags for some 4 hours like my brother did with his and no plug. The plug dissolves on its own; you carry a card for about a month in case there is a problem with the plug or bleeding (most unusual for this tohappen, tho). the surgeon came in right after they were done with the angiogram and said 'you must have bypasses' and that was done in a week or so. no problems you should get through it just fine. ([p.s. I was asleep through it all) best wishes

 

[Mentu]

Just as the others have told you, it may be a little uncomfortable but mostly it's boring if you don't go prepared. One morning in November, 2008, caths were performed on both the left and right side of my heart. I was sort of sleepy but conscious and it was really no problem. I could feel the little tool as it was positioned to check the pressure gradient across the old AV. The only discomfort was at the very beginning and that only last a minute; it was just uncomfortable not painful. Take a book to read, music or a radio. Since I have my next heart cath tomorrow, 14 AUG, 09, I plan to take my telephone & my Kindle with me. Usually, while waiting with your leg on a pillow you can use your telephone and such as long as you don't move around. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow but I don't expect anything different. Zai Jian

 

[DebbyA]

Hi!

I had my first heart cath 3 weeks before my surgery. It isn't too bad and the worst part for me was laying still. My cath was around 11:00 am and I got out around 6:00 pm. One word of advice is go to to the bathroom when you get the chance before your procedure.

Yep! Good luck. Mine was uneventful. I had almost looked forward to it to get away from construction in my house, and there was construction going on next to the recovery room

 

[Cooker]

They gave me some Valium and then I guess numbed the incision sight ... I watched the monitor and my arteries and veins lit up like a Christmas tree (no blockage} .... then the cute little nurse did a hand stand on my groin so I would not bleed to death ... the entire ordeal was quite nondescript and boring ... you will do fine....

 

[cp172]

Hi Scuba,

I have had two heart caths and the pain meds will make you feel great while the medical team does their thing.I remember talking about financial matters, hearing rock and roll music and watching a couple of guys shoot wads of paper balls into a trash can.The only sensation I remember is the very warm rush when the dye was inserted.Its a strange feeling.My last heart cath resulted in my surgeon scheduling me for mitral valve surgery while I was on the table. I am glad my family was there becuase they asked the dr a number of questions I was too shocked to ask. Best of luck to you!

 

[ponygirlmom]

I'm going to disagree with most of the people here. Just because it doesn't hurt doesn't mean it isn't one of the bigger procedures you will have.

First, if you are an active person, it will affect you for a WEEK. The day of the procedure you will be lying still for a long while afterwards. Then there will be a list of active things you cannot do for a week afterwards so that you don't start bleeding from the insertion point.

If you enjoy your family, you will be happy they will be around, especially if you have to lie flat afterwards, because that is very boring. Also, if you are in loopy-land for the procedure, you may feel spacey afterwards, and it's nice to have friendly people around then, too.

 

[Mentu]

Scuba, this probably amounts to more than you ever wanted to know but I will add my latest experience to the rest. Last Friday, I showed up early only to find that the Dr was delayed and it would be 4 hours before my cath. Wifi worked pretty well so the little netbook proved to be a plus while waiting. When Dr Smith arrived he stopped by to tell me that he prefers his patients alert and responsive during the cath inorder to improve the quality of the measurements. The whole experience went far better than my previous one when I was heavily sedated. My participation amounted to holding my breath at different points during the cath but the Doctor was happy to answer some of my questions as we went along. For his part, he was careful to warn me when his movements were going to stimulate my heart to beat irregularly. At the end, he sealed the artery with a product called a "Mynx Vascular Closure Device" which leaves behind a spot of glue sealing the artery. This time there was no need for a nurse to compress the site for a long time nor for the heavy sand bags afterwards. I had to stay for four hours but because I had not been heavily sedated I felt much more alert and finally was taken home without incident. Despite the more positive experience, I do feel quite drained and have spent most of the weekend lounging around. The results of the cath have left no doubt about the need for surgery next month. The valve area has closed from 1.4 cm2 nine months ago to .7 cm2 and the pressure gradient has risen from 44 mmhg to 57 mmhg. Finally, there is a clear unambiguous answer as to whether or not it is time for surgery and I feel much better about all this. I hope your experience goes as well.