for this procedure. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to dye or shellfish.
If you think you are or may be pregnant. The procedure is not often done during pregnancy. The x-rays may harm the baby inside you.When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Chest x-ray
- Stress test
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- This may be done in an Intensive Care Unit or a special procedure room. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you relaxed and stay pain free during the procedure.
- The staff will watch your blood pressure and heart rhythm during this procedure.
- Small stickers will be placed on your chest so the doctor can see your heart rate and rhythm.
- Your vital signs will be taken a lot during the procedure.
- The doctor will decide what area to use for your procedure. It will either be the area around your upper thigh (groin), arm, or wrist. This area will be shaved, cleaned, and numbed. The doctors will use a needle to make a hole in the blood vessel. Then, a small wire and tube (catheter) will be passed through it. The wire and tube will pass through the blood vessel until they reach your heart.
- The doctor will take x-rays to see where the wire and catheter are placed. They may put dye in the blood vessels to be able to see them better. You may be asked to stay still and hold your breath for a few seconds. The table may move and take pictures of your heart from many angles.
- Your doctor may measure the blood pressure in your heart. Your doctor may also take blood samples.
- The doctor will move the catheter through the other parts of the heart until it reaches the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery is the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen.
- Once in place, the doctor will pump up the balloon at the tip of the catheter to start gathering information.
- The doctor will remove the catheter once enough information was gathered. If you are in the Intensive Care Unit, the catheter may stay in to continue to watch the heart pressures.
- When the catheter is removed, firm pressure will be placed at the injection site to stop the bleeding. A sterile bandage will be put on to cover the area.
- If the right heart catheter was done in the special procedure room to look at the blood flow to the heart, a stent might have been placed if a block was found. Your doctor will talk to you about the findings and what was done.
What happens after the procedure?
- If you are in the intensive care unit, your care will continue as before.
- If the test was done in a special procedure room, the staff will move you to a recovery area.
- Your heart rate and blood pressure will be watched closely. The staff will check for groin or arm bleeding.
- Your doctor may give you drugs for pain. You will have to lie flat for a few hours if your procedure is done through the groin. After a few hours, you can start to walk around with help.
- Some people are allowed to go home after the procedure. Others have to stay overnight or longer.
- The staff will help you on how to do coughing and deep breathing exercises. This will help you clear your lungs and prevent infection.
- You may stay in the hospital for a few days. Your doctor will tell you when you may go home.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Take all your drugs as directed by your doctor.
- Take small walks around your house. Get enough rest for the day.
- Drink lots of fluids to flush the dye out of your body.
- Avoid straining from bowel movement. Eat a lot of fiber-rich foods like fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Irregular heartbeat
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Pain
- Blood clots
- Low blood pressure
- Fluid build up around the heart called tamponade
- Rupture of the pulmonary artery
- Stroke
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
Where can I learn more?
American Thoracic Society ‚
http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/critical-care/patient-information/icu-devices-and-procedures/right-heart-catheterization.php ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚