It's important to understand what to expect prior to, during and after a cardiac catheterization procedure. If you still have questions, never hesitate to ask your care providers.
Prior to the procedure
You will be called at home by the Same Day Surgery department the night before your scheduled procedure and provided with general instructions on how to prepare for your cath lab procedure. Patients scheduled for a Monday procedure will be contacted on the Friday afternoon prior. Depending on your child's age, there are different instructions on stopping food and liquid intake before the procedure.
It is important to let us know if your child has a runny nose, cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhea or diaper rash prior to the scheduled procedure.
Day of the procedure
You will be visited by many people on the day of the procedure in your Same Day Surgery room.
- A nurse practitioner will take history and do a physical exam.
- The cardiac anesthesiologist will explain their role in monitoring your child during the procedure and obtain consent for general anesthesia (putting your child to sleep).
- A member of the catheterization lab team will explain the procedure and obtain consent. This is your chance to ask questions and discuss any concerns you might have.
You will be able to escort your child to the Cath Lab and can stay with them right up until it is time to put them to sleep.
During the procedure
You will be given a pager that will alert you when the procedure is finished. You can wait anywhere in the hospital during the procedure. Most cardiac catheter procedures take 2 - 4 hours.
After the procedure
When the pager alerts you, return to the Cath Lab. You will then have an opportunity to sit down with the cardiologist who performed your child's procedure and discuss the results. Your child will be moved to a recovery area while they wake up. After that, you will be notified when you can join them in their post-procedure room.
Your child will be monitored by nursing staff for a minimum of 6 hours. Most children will be able to go home 24 hours after the procedure.
Your cardiologist and nurse will give you specific instructions before you are discharged from the hospital on how to care for the procedure site and other considerations after a cardiac cath.