Anyone had a heart catheterization?

I've seen them do it on House a dozen times Sorry no help here, best of luck!

 

Any chance you could get a cardiac CT scan first? I'm a radiologist who specializes in cardiac imaging. A cardiac CT would be able to tell if you have any plaque in your coronary arteries and it's not invasive (meaning you don't get a wire in your groin). If the CT is normal, there isn't any need for the cath. Of course, if it's abnormal, you would then have to get the cath because they can do something about what they find (we can't since we're non-invasive).

Here is some quick info:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ct/ct_whatis.html

I encourage you to search a little around the internet. If you still need the cath, don't worry. My hospital does tons every day and we work closely with the cardiologists. We are actually complimentary services.

Good luck regardless.

-DrC

 

I've had one. I was having an "issue", was told by the cardio that the catheterization was the "gold standard" in determining if anything is wrong and that the risk was relatively small. I read up later on and discovered that the risks are quite real...
The procedure was quite simple, numb you up, shave the appropriate side of your groin, Dr. comes in and presses firmly while inserting the needle with the wire. There was some discomfort almost right away and he backed off, pulling the wire back a little and then tried again and it was fine. I was able to turn my head and watch on the monitor and that was a bit weird but also reassuring as you can see all of the tiny blood vessels and the Dr. explained what we were seeing was very good. When the dye is released you will feel a warm flooding sensation in your chest, not unpleasant, but you will also feel it in your groin and probably think you've wet yourself - don't worry - you didn't.
When the wire reached the heart I felt some strange fluttering - palpitations? - and the Dr. explained that the heart prefers to be left alone.
Most uncomfortable part of the procedure? The back board you'll be laying on - I asked them next time could they please order one with some lumbar support!
Best part? Talking cars with the cardio right before he started.
Recovery is a short period of a nurse leaning into your groin applying direct pressure followed by the rest of the day flat on your back. I came out of it with a hell of a back ache and wasn't allowed to sit up all day so that wasn't fun but I had the news of learning that my arteries were clear to bring up my spirits! Released that evening after proving that I could walk and use the bathroom. Sent home and told no stairs that day/night, no driving, lots of rest, nothing to cause pressure for a few days.
There are some risks and you can read about them here:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/cath/cath_risk.html

 

Well isn't that the tail wagging the dog!

If your doc thinks the CT is the best thing, get it!

Not med advice blah blah blah....

 

Unfortunately that's where we are at in the good ole US of A in healthcare. All run by bean counters not medical doctors. With my catheterization the insurance company initially sent a letter signed by their own tame Dr. which stated that there was no medical necessity (or some such lawyer-speak) for the procedure. I'm not sure of all of the back-and-forth details between my team of 3-4 real Drs. and their pet one but it was eventually agreed that it was necessary and all costs were covered.

 

It's interesting to me that cardiac CT's actually SAVE money, but are often denied. Depending on your hospital, at least 1/3 of all the cardiac catheterizations will end up showing normal coronary arteries. You still have to pay a pretty hefty price for the procedure, though. Cardiac CT is much less expensive, and if it can eliminate a third of cath procedures, don't you think insurance companies would be all over it?

It doesn't make sense to me. Thankfully, I work as a civilian contractor for the Army. My pay has nothing to do with how many CTs I diagnose. I just do what's right for the patient.

-DrC

 

Good news. Glad everything turned out okay.

-DrC

 

Excellent news! If you care to share any of your symptoms I'm interested to compare them with mine. Sucks having something run (ruin?) your life when there is nothing wrong according to all the experts.

 

There was an episode of House last night where a patient had a heart catheterization and her heart stopped. She had to be put on bypass because they couldn't get her heart to beat again.

Not trying to scare you or anything, your post just reminded me of it.





Seriously though, I think it's a routine procedure (at least on television). I hope everything goes well.