Cardiac Catheterisation
This page will give you information about a cardiac
catheterisation. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP
or other relevant health professional.
What is a cardiac catheterisation?
A cardiac catheterisation, or coronary angiogram, is a special
test to find out if you have any problems with the coronary
arteries (blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen),
and to find out how well the pumping chambers and valves in your
heart are working.
A cardiac catheterisation will give your doctor information
about your heart that they cannot always get from other tests.
Your doctor may be concerned that you have narrowed or blocked
coronary arteries, damaged or faulty heart valves, or a weak heart
muscle.
Are there any alternatives to a cardiac catheterisation?
You can have exercise tests and scans, which have fewer risks.
However, they may not give your doctor enough information.
What does the procedure involve?
If appropriate, the cardiologist may offer you a sedative or
painkiller. A cardiac catheterisation usually takes about half an
hour. A sheath (short, soft plastic tube used to access your
artery) is usually inserted in your femoral artery. The
cardiologist will insert a catheter (long, narrow plastic tube)
through the sheath and along your artery to your heart. The
cardiologist will inject dye into the catheter so they can take
x-rays to find out exactly where your coronary arteries have
narrowed (see figure 1).
Figure 1 - The coronary arteries of the heart
What complications can happen?
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Haematoma
- Infection
- False aneurysm
- Kidney damage
- Allergic reaction
- Radiation exposure
- Blood clot
- Change in heart rhythm
- Blood leaking into the sac that surrounds the heart
- Heart attack
- Stroke
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day.
It is important that you do not do any strenuous activity for
about 24 hours. Your doctor may ask you to come back to the clinic
to tell you the results and to discuss any treatment or follow-up
you need.
Summary
A cardiac catheterisation is usually a safe and effective way of
finding out about the problems you are having with your heart.
Acknowledgements
Author: Dr Julia Baron MRCP MD
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2007 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare
Limited
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