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Thread: Heart Catheterization

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    Default Heart Catheterization

    Ok, just curious to see if anyone else has had this done before, I am getting it done sometime in March, I think, to correct something in my heart. I have an extra opening or valve or something making my electrical impulses go in circles, which gives me an elevated heart rate (tachycardia), and they are going to go in and scar over it. Everyone has told me it is a serious procedure, but safer than childbirth. Anyone have any comments?

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    Member tinkerbelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    Have you tried searching the internet?

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    Veteran Member HoneyHITZ's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    i had it when i was 6 months old, before i had heart surgery. Im still alive apparently, lol... i do have a scar (VERY small) inside my thigh but i dont know how they insert a heart catheter in adults, but not a big deal... my husband has never even noticed it.. the heart surgery scar is a lot worse, lol... if you need any more information, or need someone to talk to about it, let me know, im here for you and good luck!!


    <Rhiannon_SW> :that's where Jimmy Hoffa went!
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    God/dess RoseDelight's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    It's not a 'very dangerous' surgery but has some amazing results. It's actually very popular now days especially amongst people that have Cotornary disease, Artificial heart valves, Stenting, and I think Angioplasty.

    They'll run a tube inside of your blood vessels, veins, and then to your heart. I am not sure where they will run the tube from, It'll most likely be through your arm or neck. The idea is to help the doctor figure out what's going on with your heart. He'll take angiograms, measure blood flow, possibly check your pressure level, and take tissue samples.

    It doesn't last long at all, You'll be out through the whole thing, most likely. It'll last under an hour, you'll rest for a few hours, and you'll go home soon after.

    There aren't many risks during it....Mostly discomfort. It's very rare to have complications during this procedure, so I wouldn't have any worries. If you're very worried, He can list out the risks for you. I think there might be a warning of blood clots, internal bleeding, etc. As I said, There's a small chance of that happening though. So no need to worry yourself.

    It's the best way now days for doctors to identify what's going on with you.

    Best of luck!
    Last edited by RoseDelight; 01-14-2005 at 08:05 PM.


    --Georg Christoph Litchenberg



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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    I am not too worried about the procedure, I am just worried that I will die or something while they are doing it. I want to be able to see my family after its done, lol. I worry a lot though. Also, the dr said he would be going in through the groin, and i just have to stay off my feet for a couple days and not to lift anything, like my daughter. Thank you all for your comments and kind words!

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    Pamela
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    You are 23, lots going for you. Our hospital is known for "heart" and level 2 Trauma patients. I see many patients weekly coming into admitting, or out patient services. These people at our hospital stay at times for 23 hour observation if all looked good inside.

    Finding a potential life threatening problem will be corrected, you will/should stay.

    We have 80 yr olds ALL the time have a heart cath. Family waits in the cath. lab waiting room for you to come out of recovery.

    You will be fully staffed by cardiologists, you will do fine.

    Older people have been known to code on the table with no problems after being revived in any hospital i am sure.

    Oh and hun i have a valve problem. Tachycardia, and irregular heart beat most the time, i am on medication, have been for 11 years now. I will need a heart cath. one day soon i am sure.



    There are risks to having a tooth pulled, or taking an asprin. Remember that. You should do great!!!

    Pamela

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    Thank you Pamela! Everyone has told me that I will be just fine, it is a basic procedure. I am getting it, I have made up my mind, but I am nervous about it..the only time I have had any hospital stays was when I had my little girl, and I did fine with that, no problems. I know I am going to be so exited after I have it done though, because that will mean no more worrying about it! It will be such a relief to be over a problem like that. And it means that I would be able to have another baby one day (if we want

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    Pamela
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    Nervous is fine, and very normal. Wating is the hardest part. As many times as this procedure is performed today is mind blowing. Usally the second step after a stress test. So many people are so happy they had it done, this procedure will tell where any blockage may be etc. It's a good thing, and the legs? They will heal up fine.

    I would wish you luck, but you don't need it! So i wish you calmness! Ask questions while you are being prepared, it does help alot!



    Pamela

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    Veteran Member HoneyHITZ's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    good luck hun like i had said, they did mine through my groin, and the scar (i scar very easily) is just about the size of a needlepoint... good luck, and let us know how the whole thing goes!!!!


    <Rhiannon_SW> :that's where Jimmy Hoffa went!
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    I definitely will, I am planning on writing down all my questions I have for the doctor, so I can know exactly what to expect..mother in law is a surgical tech, and she said they would lay me flat on this huge ass table, and they would run dye through my veins to see what they were doing, ect. It doesnt sound painless or slow. I just have the common worries Thank you again though!

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    God/dess RoseDelight's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    It's normal to have worries but I am sure everything will be fine! Please keep us updated on everything, okay? *Hugs*


    --Georg Christoph Litchenberg



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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    *hugs* I definitely will. The surgery won't be until sometime in March, but I will definitely let you guys know how it goes

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    Senior Member AzAzn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    I don't know if it is the same, but I have a bard port catheter implanted in my chest. The port allows the oncologists to administer chemotherapy drugs to me, there is a catheter that goes to my heart.
    ~Even now in Heaven, there are Angels carrying savage weapons~

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    There are different types of catheters, but mine is just a procedure where they go into my heart via a catheter and scar over an extra..something I have (cant remember what its called) They are going to alblate it, I think thats how you say it.

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    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    http://www.sjm.com/procedures/proced...heter+Ablation

    What to expect from catheter albation...

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    Ok, now I am wondering..it says tiny tubeS..plural..so they are going in through my groin and all that, up to my heart..so where are the other tubes inserted from I wonder, or is it all going in through the groin? Huh.

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    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    groin or neck. I guess it's the physicians call on that one. wish you luck.

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    Thank you..I hope everything goes well. I am just curious now as to how the others go in, lol. I will call mother in law, she is a surgical tech, she should know.

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    Wow how fascinating!

    I used to work in a cath lab holding area. It is amazing how many people have this procedure done. Just make sure that you doctor is a very good one. I cannot impress that enough. I worked for some of the best cardiologists in the world/country but be annoying if you need to it is your health and body and that goes for anything your are having done! Never be afraid to check credentials, ask questions up the butt & get any other opinions if you are concerned. It does sound more dramatic than it is, and the doctors and staff are used to nervous people so they should be really good to you. Just hang in there and take it easy.

    Yea they will probably prep you and then they will give you an IV then they will give you the dye then they will put you on a big table where they will shoot images of your heart with an x-ray machine that will show up because of they dye. Then they will get the opportunity to see what is going on with your insides and they can find where the problem iscoming from that is giving you the strange heart beat. Then they can deal with the problem from there. Don't worry You will do just fine! If you have a good doctor they will be able to take care of you and they do this type of procedure several times a week, many times a year so they will know what they are doing.

    I know it is easier said than done but just take it easy and know that you will be just fine.

    Did they find this with an echocardiogram or ekg?

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    Member kookoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    I know that this is off the subject a bit but hey Pam thanks for the hard work with you patients. I did ER for 5 yrs and cath lab for 1 yr. I did other things within the realm of healtcare but I left for good and now I am here, however hats off to you and all the hard work you must do. I am sure you don't hear that enough, I know we didn't.

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    They can never catch it on an EKG, but they did an echo and put me on a holter monitor, so its on the holter but not the echo, so they might do another echo the doc said and then put all the info together and see what they have, so they can pinpoint it. I am going to a hospital in DC, the one the president goes to, and the president's men, all that happy stuff. Hubby said it is a high ranking hossy, so I am in good hands. I will definitely ask lots of questions though. I am just so afraid I am going to die or something during the procedure and not ever be able to see my little girl or husband again. I cried over that a couple times already.

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    Veteran Member stant's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    The procedure you describe is a catheter ablation:

    http://my.webmd.com/hw/heart_disease/ps1550.asp

    Most likely at your age they suspect WPW syndrome, and will explore your cardiac electrophysiology to make the diagnosis, then correct it with ablation.

    The heart muscle is a large conductive surface with electrical charges flowing across it. Sometimes eddies or whirlpools are created by abnormal structures. This is dangerous because clots can form in pools around these eddies, and be released into the blood, a common source of strokes. By actually burning the region causing the problem, normal electrical flow is restored (bypassing the problem).

    Your leg will hurt something nasty. For at LEAST a day. The greatest danger you face is slipping on the floor walking to the cath lab. Doesn't mean its not scary as shit.

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    LMAO, that you Stant! That was kinda cute I really would rather slip and fall walking there, heh! Yea, it is scary, its unknown for me, but I have lots of support from family and friends and here on SW, so hopefully all goes well for me

  24. #24
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    Stant is correct, and you will bruise. This is going to work out fine for you! And yes, you do have much support here! Once you're preped, you are going to start calming down as these people will talk to you, and tell you everything they are about to do. Before you know it, you wil be feeling fine. I don't know about you, but i have a valve problem (not MVP) and tachycardia along with a very irregular heartbeat at times. Guess i should have had this done, but i am on meds. for my heart at this point and doing good.

    Let me know.....PLEASE. So i know what i may be up for.

    KooKoo thank you for the kind words.

    Pamela

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    Default Re: Heart Catheterization

    I have supraventricular tachycardia, and plenty of irregular heartbeats to go along lol. I will definitely let you know, sounds like we are in the same boat Pamela

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