Cardiac Catheterization

I had my first bout of heart palpitations about 2 months ago. It coincided with being laid off and going from much daily physical exertion to nearly none. I thought nothing of it until I saw my primary doc who did an ECG. He didn't like what he saw. He sent me to a cardiologist who did a thallium stress test, and likewise, wasn't thrilled. He stated the results were not conclusive. It could be nothing, it could be something. Doctors don't like to commit in their responses. He seems confident it's a blockage of a coronary artery, though.

Tomorrow morning I'm having a procedure done where a catheter is threaded from the femoral artery to the heart, injects dyes, and the cardiologist can see conclusively if blockage exists. If there is, one of 3 things can happen. First, it would be minor enough to be treated with meds. Or--a stent would be inserted, permanently opening up the artery, or a balloon (angioplasty) would be expanded at the blockage site. Worst case scenario would be bypass surgery.

In any event, I'm a bit apprehensive as to be expected, as I'm fairly young. I had reservations about sharing it with everyone here. I decided last minute that 3Reef is like a home to me, and I'm sharing it with you all.

I'm sure all will go fine, but just wanted all to know. At the minimum, I'll be hospitalized overnight, but I'll be back!!

 

good luck Larry, hope it turns out to be nothing at all


Steve

 

ahh yes, the angiogram...good luck to you my friend.

 

How old are you if you don't mind?

I've watched the procedure a few times. Not a whole lot to worry about. Hope all goes well. Oh and if you get a hot nurse pretend your groin site is bleeding so she can put pressure on your "thigh".

 

good luck....you will be in my thoughts and prayers!

I had a cardiac cath when I was 23 or so, I guess some 13 years ago! It is actually very interesting to watch. You will be able to watch everything on the screen (unless your doctor gives you a sedative...for some reason mine did not want to give me anything!) The procedure itself is not all that bad! Worst part of it for me was having to lie flat for 6 hours afterwards....using a bedpan...yuck! I made the mistake of asking to be placed on the floor that I worked on! Something about having your friends put you on a bed pan that was uncomfortable.

On a good note though.....now they have better procedures to seal it off...at least in my hospital that I work at now you only have to lay flat for 3 hours!

But I pray all is ok....always good to get ANY chest pain checked out. Please let us know how you did!

 

Sorry to hear. They can do amazing things in medicine these days. We wish you the best.

Jack

 

;D;D;D;D My groin actually bleed when it was time to get up. No hot male nurses came to hold pressure on my site.

Like I said I asked to be placed on my floor that I worked on....so I had oncology nurses. When it was time for me to get up, and I started to bleed the nurse did not know what to do (she was dumb as a box of rocks) so my mom had to hold pressure there for 30 minutes before they sandbagged my leg!

 

good luck !!!!!

 

Haha yes you want to be placed on the telemetry floor. Man it's scary when you see nurses outside their realm of comfort. So you were an oncology nurse? I like the OR less talkie more sleepy.

 

Thanks all. I'm 43, psiclone. Schackmel, they don't put you "under" because in this type of procedure, sometimes your cooperation is required. You might have to take a deep breath and hold it, or cough to assist with the pictures and dye. You're mildly sedated. Lastly, the final decision to place a stent or balloon angioplasty is yours to make. Kinda weird to think you make these decisions while sedated.

From what I've read, they use plugs now to seal the entry site, which dissolve much like intramuscular sutures. They still sandbag, or use some type of clamp, too. You have to keep the leg on the entry side immobile for a minimum of 4 hours.

Anyways, I'll be happy when it's over. No pun intended.