Has anyone had a cardiac catheterization?

[Kath2]

I read the description but I’d like to know a little more about what to expect. Thanks.

[OLDMDDEM]

1. It's been a while

There wasn't any pain. If the catheter is from the wrist, the process is a piece of cake. If it is from the groin, there will be only a small amount of discomfort. I was awake for mine and I imagine you would be also.

[Kath2]

2. Many thanks!

And glad your procedure went well!

[OLDMDDEM]

3. You're welcome.

You will feel tired afterward. So don't make plans for the rest of the day.

[blm]

11. I concur.

[werdna]

8. Agree. The worst pat for me was. . .

. . . the catheterization necessary to void my bladder and the removal thereof.

[Dave in VA]

4. Yep

About 8 years ago. Cath was inserted in the wrist. No pain. Was awake for the entire procedure and doc explained what he was seeing. I could see the monitor, too.

[Shrek]

5. Two years ago after my heart attack

They went in through the groin and I was under general anesthesia for a short time.

The procedure itself was no big deal but the findings ended up in a triple bypass (I'm fine now).

Good luck!

[splat]

6. I had 3 of them!

This did not seem like a big deal when it was going on, even though I showed up to a hospital early in the morning to do it. (I'd only been to a hospital before to have a baby.)

All three were through the same vein in my right groin. First two stents, relieving blockages in my chest, were a piece of cake, although I wasn't awake. The third involved a stent at the branch in my abdomen to my legs. That went six hours -- doc said he had to draw on his bag of tricks for it -- and I stayed overnight as a precaution. No more pain on walking now!

This did not entirely end my shortness of breath, unfortunately.

[Jirel]

7. Per my dad's MANY....

… and for which I was able to hang out with him during some of them -

These days, they tend to enter through the wrist, but occasionally they still go in through the groin. You get local anaesthetic, so it doesn’t hurt going in or out. You may be given some mild sedation if you’re feeling nervous, but you’ll be awake and comfortable through it. The procedure is usually pretty quick unless there is a problem clearing a vessel or stenting, which happened once to him. The longest part of the process can be the recovery phase afterward. They have to be sure that the vessel they went into is completely shut, and you’re stable, before they can let you lose. In most procedures these days, that means chilling on a recovery room bed with a high-tech transparent pressure bandage on your wrist, and they’ll be monitoring your vitals and coming by to check that bandage until they’re satisfied. This is where it’s handy to have someone to talk to, or something to read 1-handed. If you’ve been on blood thinners, it may take a little longer.

He always felt really tired afterward, which was considered normal. The best strategy was to go straight home, read, nap, or watch TV. Even if feeling peppy, patients are supposed to not to anything strenuous that might risk opening the vessel again. So, get all chores done before going in or have someone else cover them, and have takeout or someone who’ll feed you later on.

Edit: some people do get sedated more heavily, but that wasn’t the way they did my dad’s. You might want to check with your doc about their plans.

[lark]

9. Dad had one while he was on chemo.

Because of the extra risk, he was kept in the hospital for a few days. It was the easiest of all the procedures they did on him. Caused him no issues and id'd the issues, which vessles were blocked and how much. It's been ages, but I think they reamed out several of the big vessles and he was much better afterwards.

[blm]

10. Yes. Sounds scarier than it is.