The normal points of entry are either the groin area or the forearm. The immediate skin area is numbed with a local anesthetic, administered through a needle. You will feel an initial pin prick as the needle is inserted, and then a burning sensation as the anesthetic is injected. You also may feel pressure when the catheter itself is inserted, and/or exchanged with other catheters during the procedure.
Once the initial needle is inserted, a guide wire is passed through the needle and the needle itself is removed. Next, a small tube (catheter) is threaded over the wire and guided through the vessel and into the chambers of the heart. The doctor uses X-ray to confirm the desired location of the catheter tip, and then removes the guide wire. The catheter is connected to special equipment that records the blood pressure inside the body
You will be awake throughout the entire procedure; the physician will require your cooperation at various times during the testing, to perform certain basic functions (e.g. exhale, cough, hold your breath).
There may be a brief period of five minutes, early in the procedure, when a clear plastic hood will be placed over your head to measure the air that you exhale. This will allow the physician to determine the pumping efficiency of your heart.
There will be several periods when X-ray sensitive contrast media (dye) will be injected, through the catheter. At these moments (approximately 30 seconds to 60 seconds each) you will probably feel a warm sensation that spreads from head to toe.
Once the testing is complete, the catheter will be removed and pressure will be applied for approximately 15 minutes. You will then be taken back to your room, or to a special care area where monitoring of your heart rhythm is available.
How long does recovery take?
You will likely be allowed to go home in several hours; however, the first few hours after the procedure are very important, and you must follow the hospital staff's directions very closely.
If the point of insertion was your groin: You will be required to lay flat on your back for a minimum of four hours, once you are returned to your room. It is important that you pay careful attention to your doctor's instructions not to sit up or bend your legs, in order to minimize the chances of bleeding. After four hours, if there has not been any bleeding at the site of catheter insertion, the hospital staff will assist you in turning onto your side. You will likely be allowed out of your hospital bed in several hours.
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