ÐÇ¿ÕÌåÓý

Introduction

Cardiac catheterisation is a procedure used to get detailed information about the: 

• heart muscle
• heart valves
• major blood vessels. 

It is often used when other tests like echocardiography are not enough. 

In this procedure, a fine, hollow and flexible tube or catheter is inserted into an artery or vein in the:

• groin
• arm
• neck.

The catheter is passed through the artery or vein until it reaches the heart. It can then be used for:

• taking measurements like blood pressure, flow and oxygen levels
• angioplasty â€� when dye is injected into the heart to help blood vessels show up clearly on X-rays
• balloon angioplasty and stenting â€� when a tiny balloon is used to widen areas that have become narrow, help open with a mesh tube called a stent
• inserting tiny plugs or coils to close off abnormal holes in the heart or blood vessels
• biopsy â€� when a sample of tissue is taken for testing.

Interventional catheterisation is when the procedure is used to treat some heart problems, like blocked valves or arteries. Most of these problems will still need to be repaired with surgery.

The hospital will call you before your child's procedure to let you know:

• what time you need to arrive
• when your child needs to stop eating and drinking
• how long your child may need to stay in the hospital.

Your child's treatment team will let you know if any blood tests, scans or checks need to be done before the procedure.

Some children may be given a sedative 30 minutes before the procedure starts. A sedative is a medicine that makes your child sleepy and relaxed.

Cardiac catheterisation for children is usually done under a general anaesthetic. This means your child will be asleep and will not feel any pain.

Once your child is asleep, the doctor will insert the catheter through a groin, arm, or neck vein. They will use an X-ray to guide the catheter to the heart before using it to take measurements or perform tests or procedures. 

The procedure usually takes between 1.5 � 2 hours.

Your child's doctor will speak to you after the procedure to let you know how it went.

Nurses will monitor your child while they wake up from the general anaesthetic or sedative. They will also check your child's:

• temperature
• blood pressure
• breathing rate
• heart rate
• wound where the catheter was inserted
• pulse rate in their foot.

Your child may feel sleepy or restless for a few hours, and older children may have some nausea and vomiting.

The catheter wound will be covered with thin, sticky bandages that hold it together. These can be removed the day after the procedure.

Your child's doctor will let you know when they can go home from the hospital. This will depend on: 

• their recovery 
• their fluids and diet
• the type of procedure they had.

Depending on your child's treatment team, results from the procedure will be available days to weeks after the procedure.

You will be contacted for a follow-up appointment before your child goes home from the hospital.