Cardiac Catheterization at The Children’s Hospital
Cardiac catheterization at The Children’s Hospital is used for a variety of heart tests (diagnostic catheterization) and also to make repairs to hearts (interventional catheterization). It can help determine the severity of your child’s heart defect and help in the planning treatment. Many defects that required open heart surgery in the past can now be corrected in the catheterization lab. The Heart Institute Catheterization Lab performs over 700 catheterizations each year. More procedures means better outcomes, which means that you are in very good hands at The Children’s Hospital.
Diagnostic Catheterization
If the purpose of your child’s catheterization is to perform tests to better understand how the heart is working, it is called a diagnostic catheterization. There are two procedures that are usually done during every catheterization: 1) Blood pressures in different chambers of the heart and blood vessels are recorded, and 2) oxygen content of the blood in each chamber of the heart is evaluated.
Another test that is often done during catheterization is called angiography. This test is done by injecting a dye into the body through the catheter and an X-ray movie is taken of the movement of the dye. This is done so that the cardiologist can see the flow of blood through and around the heart. The dye also helps the cardiologist to see if there are blockages or arterial build-up. The cardiologist will also be able to see how the heart muscle is contracting and how the valves are performing.
Interventional Catheterization Procedures
If the purpose of the catheterization is to fix or change something in the child’s heart, it is called an interventional catheterization. The cardiologist will perform most of the diagnostic techniques first and then continue with any planned corrective procedures, which could include:
What to Expect During Cardiac Catheterization
Most often your child will be admitted to the hospital the day before the catheterization. Several doctors, nurses and technicians will see your child before and during the testing process. A member of the cardiology team will explain all of the planned tests and catheterization procedures to you. Some of the tests will include, blood and urine tests, electrocardiograms, chest X-rays and an echocardiogram. Feel free to ask questions at any time.
The person that schedules your test will provide specific instructions for you regarding eating and drinking prior to the test. The catheterization test will cause little discomfort because your child will be given a medication, orally, to make him feel sleepy and relaxed. You will be able to walk to the Cath Lab with your child, and once inside the outer doors you will leave him with the nurses.
Once your child is in the Cath Lab, he will be moved onto the special bed where the catheterization will take place. The nurses will cover your child with warm blankets, start an IV, and hook up the devices to monitor blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, etc. The IV will be used to deliver fluids and medicine to make your child sleepy and relaxed during the catheterization. Your child’s physician and/or anesthesiologist will discuss the best way to make to make sure your child is comfortable during the procedure.
A sterile drape will cover your child’s entire body in order for the cardiologist to perform the procedure. The area where the catheter will be inserted is then cleaned with an antiseptic and numbed with medicine. This is usually in the groin area. The catheter is then inserted into the vein and/or artery. A catheter is a small hollow tube that is similar to IV tubing. The cardiologist will use a fluoroscopy to guide the catheter to the areas of the heart that he wants to examine or work on.
After Catheterization
After a catheterization procedure, your child will be moved to a recovery area to wake up. Once he is awake, the nurse will make sure that his vital signs are stable and that your child is taking fluids OK. Most children are able to go home the day of the test, but some will need to stay overnight. All of them will need to stay very still for several hours after the test to ensure that bleeding to the groin or the area where the tube was inserted has stopped. After reviewing the exam and tests results, your child’s cardiologist will advise you about treatment or the results of a procedure.
