What is Cardiac Catheterization

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Cardiac Cath 3

Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

In the majority of cases, catheters are introduced through a tiny needle hole in the right groin. In such cases both the left and right groins are shaved in preparation for the procedure, on the outside chance that the other groin may have to be used.

Intravenous medications are used to relax the patient. The patient is able to ask questions and follow the requests of the cardiologists, nurses and Techs. This can include having to take a deep breath or let the cath team know if there is any discomfort being induced by the procedure. The goal is to keep the patient extremely comfortable and relaxed without being put to sleep. This process is known as conscious sedation.

The groin area is then numbed with the use of local anesthesia. This is induced by injecting lidocaine into the skin and adjoining area. The process is similar to a dentist numbing the gums prior to a dental procedure. The patient may feel a small stinging sensation at this time.

The artery is felt by the fingertips, and a needle is directed towards the arterial pulsation. When blood escapes out of the needle, the cardiologist knows that entrance to the artery has been gained. Since the area was previously numbed with local anesthesia, there is usually very little discomfort associated with this.

A thin flexible wire is introduced into the needle. This is known as a guide-wire because it helps to guide catheters, just like a rail guides the path of a train. The purple plastic tip deflector helps straighten the curved and floppy tip of the guide wire. The needle and the tip deflector are then removed.

A tubular, flexible plastic sheath that is usually about 2 1/2 or three millimeters in diameter is advanced over the guide-wire and placed in the artery. This serves as a passage-way or introducer for the insertion of the catheter. The sheath has a white plastic hub that sits outside the skin. The hub contains a one-way valve that allows a catheter to be introduced through the sheath but prevents blood from escaping.