What is Cardiac Catheterization?

A cardiac catheterization (cath) is a diagnostic heart test. It is used to find out how well your heart is working and if any of the arteries feeding your heart muscle are blocked.

Getting Ready

• Do not eat or drink for at least 6-8 hours before the test.
• Please arrive at the hospital admissions department 2 hours before your procedure.
• Take ALL of your regular morning medications (including your blood pressure medication). You may take your medications the morning of your test with a sip of water. Do not take diuretics (lasix, furosemide).
• DO NOT STOP PLAVIX OR ASPIRIN: If you take Plavix or Aspirin on a daily basis ,be sure to take them as usual.

-If you take COUMADIN (warfarin) do not take for three days before the cath.

-DO NOT take glucophage, glucovance, metformin, or metaglip the morning of your cath and for 2 days after.

-If you take insulin, take 1/2 your usual morning dose.

• Please bring all your regular medication in the original pill bottles.
• Bring an overnight bag just in case you need to stay in the hospital.
• Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the hospital.

What to Expect

Your doctor has already done some tests, but additional blood work will be done before the procedure. This may be done at the clinic or you may be asked to go to the hospital a few days before your test for the blood work. The blood work is done so that we are sure everything is within normal levels so we can safely do your procedure.

How the Test Works

Before the test, someone from the cath lab team will talk to you about the procedure and ask you if you have any questions before going to the cath lab. Two IVs will be started so that you may be given medications to help you relax. Your family will be directed to a waiting room where they will be given updates as needed.

Upon arrival to the cath lab you will be connected to an ECG machine, blood pressure and oxygen level equipment. Although your right groin is typically used, both sides will be clipped and scrubbed with a special soap. A sterile blanket will be placed on top of you. It is important to keep your hands and arms at your side. A cath lab team member will prepare equipment on top of the sterile blanket. We will keep you informed of what is going on and will give you instructions during the procedure.

If a blockage is not found, your physician will talk with your family regarding the results of the procedure. You will then be taken back to your room where you will recover 2-6 hours, depending on the type of closure device used. When you have met the discharge criteria, a nurse will review your discharge instructions with you and you may then go home.

If a Blockage is Found

If a blockage is found, the interventional cardiologist will be notified and will review the findings. Together with your cardiologist, they will decide on a treatment plan. If they should decide a balloon angioplasty and/or stent placement is necessary, you and your family will be notified and the interventionalist will proceed. After the procedure, the interventionalist will speak with your family and give them an update on your procedure. During that time the cath lab team will be preparing you for the recovery room (typically requires an overnight stay in ICU).

Balloon Angioplasty: A catheter with a balloon is passed to the narrowing in the vessel and is inflated to open the narrowing.

Stent: A small stainless steel wire mesh tube placed where the narrowing was to keep the vessel open.

What Else should I Know?

Before you leave the hospital you will have an opportunity to speak with the physician and ask any questions you may have. You will also be given a stent ID card. This card provides you with the type, size and location of your stent/stents. This card should be carried with you at all times, preferably in your wallet. In the event of an emergency, this information is very helpful for the evaluating physician.

Because blood clots may sometimes form easily on a stent, you will be given a medication (Plavix and aspirin) to take for a period of time to help prevent clots from forming.

You will be given a complete set of written instructions about your stent, closure device, medication, and any diet or activity changes you may need to make.

You will have a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist AND your regular health care provider.