Worried about cardiac catheterization

DachsieMom · Mar 31, 2015

I just learned I need a cardiac cath test before my April 9 surgery. I have no idea what this is - does it hurt? I am a wimp

. I also completely panicked when they tried an MRI (had no idea I was claustrophobic). Is it enclosed? I know I will be medicated.

yotphix · Mar 31, 2015

It is not exactly enclosed, though there is the option of draping sheets in a sort of open topped tent, so you can't see the video screen. I opted to have it visible. I also had a lovely dose of IV valium and couldn't have imagined anything so lovely as spending a few hours in a surgery with some friendly masked men! It didn't hurt me even a tiny bit, though there was a sort of dull ache at the insertion site for a few days after.
What the test consits of is the insertion of a tube (the catheter) into a large blood vessel, usually the femoral in the groin area. It is pushed up and around the corner all the way to your heart. (It's kind of a straight shot up till the aortic arch). Then they fiddle about with dumping dies in here and there and watching the flow. They told me that the main reason was to determine whether they'd want to change up any coronary arteries while they were in doing surgery, and to get a very accurate read of the valve issue, and any others.
It really is a breeze of a test, despite sounding very serious. Docs do them all day long, and rarely experience complications. The worst part is that you have to wait hours to clot adequately for them to let you go home. (The femoral is a big pipe so you don't want it leaking.

DachsieMom · Apr 1, 2015

Thank you so much. I think mine will be through my wrist. Hoping that means it will be easier! Any restrictions after the procedure?

Freddie · Apr 1, 2015

I had mine angiogram/cardiac cath in the right wrist, didn't feel a thing. I was awake and they rubbed a numbing solution from the base of the hand to the elbow and was told not to use that hand 12 hours......maybe it was 24....just remember it was a long time and had no pain afterwards.

Really, IMO it was a piece a cake; I was in a large room, got rolled in on a bed, specialist took one look at my wrist and decided the wrist was the way to go. Was told not to move and to breath normally.

Just a little tricky to eat supper when your right handed.

Good Luck

MrsBray · Apr 1, 2015

I've had two through the femoral artery in the leg. One was miserable - inattentive staff and lack of information - and one was almost delightful. *if* you have to have it through your leg....make sure you pee! You won't be able to get out of bed for at least 4 hours, and they pump you full of liquids - saline drip and encourage drink drink drink water - to flush the dye out of your system. This means using a bedpan. If you don't, you'll be "holding it" for as many as 6-8 hours, which is miserable and may cause you to have issues after they allow you to get up.

epstns · Apr 1, 2015

I'll have to admit that prior to my valve surgery, I was more afraid of the cath than of the surgery itself. I had no choice of method - they used the femoral artery, and I just didn't know what to expect. As it turned out, they gave me just enough "happy juice" so that I was barely awake, often asleep. I drifted in and out of consciousness, and each time I started to look around, they said "Time for more juice" and out I went. The only really weird experience of the whole event was that when they made the initial puncture to insert the tube, while I felt absolutely nothing, my leg muscles tensed up abruptly, causing me to "jump" up on the table. Doc said it was totally natural.

Since my cath was through the femoral artery, I had to lay in bed for a while. They used some new sort of plug for the wound, so I only had to stay in bed for about 4 hours. During that time I was gradually getting more clear-headed and actually had lunch (the standard dry turkey sandwich, though). By the end of my 4-hour wait, I was ready for the ride home. The next day, I was up and around, and the day after that I was back to work. They didn't want me driving for 24 hours after the procedure, due to anesthetic.

So, for me, the cath was a big non-issue. Hope yours is, too.

tom in MO · Apr 1, 2015

Don't worry, it won't be bad. I had it through the leg and don't really remember it. I remember before and after, but that's about it. They give you drugs so you won't. Don't worry if you have to pee, the staff are used to bedpans and if you are not, you soon will : ) Mine was a joyous time, because I learned my arteries were clean and there was no other problems than the BAV. I was even told I could order off the non-heart menu for dinner.

cldlhd · Apr 1, 2015

I had mine thru the femoral and it wasn't bad . I watched the dye on the screen but you don't have to, the worst part was laying there waiting the few hours before we could leave and having to let my wife drive home thru rush hour Philly traffic.

jhc1 · Apr 2, 2015

Piece of cake…I had mine though the radial artery (wrist) and neck to image both sides of my heart…only felt a little pressure when they were inserting the catheter. no strenuous exercise for 24 hours afterwards...

DachsieMom · Apr 4, 2015

Thanks everyone!

KayBee718 · Apr 5, 2015

My cardiac cath is tomorrow too (surgery is 4/14) & I have zero anxiety about it...I'm reserving all my anxiety for the surgery. LOL

DachsieMom · Apr 7, 2015

I'm back. Wasn't exactly a walk in the park. They had to go through the femoral artery because my wrist was too small (I am 4'10"). Actual procedure wasn't bad at all. Getting the IV was awful. They stuck me four times. Blew out the left and right arteries or veins, then tried my hand (failure - skin too tight). By that point I was shaking like crazy so they have me something to relax. Then finally got IV in my arm. Apparently I was dehydrated because I could not have any water, so my veins were flat - and they are tiny to begin with. Let's hope Thursday goes better!

cldlhd · Apr 7, 2015

So I assume the result of the cath was good?

DachsieMom · Apr 7, 2015

I guess so? The surgeon requested it so he could have a better look prior to surgery. They measured the aneurysm a little smaller, but I assume we are still a go for Thursday.

cldlhd · Apr 7, 2015

I had the cardiac cath because my surgeon wanted to see if my arteries were clear and the surgeon performing the cath gave me a play by play as he did it.