After Right Heart Catheterization
You just had a procedure called a right heart catheterization. This procedure is used to evaluate how well your heart is pumping. It can also be used to measure the pressure in your heart and the vessels between the heart and lungs. During the procedure, a catheter was placed into a vein and guided to the right side of your heart into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery carries blood from your heart to your lungs. Through the catheter, your health care provider can give you medications to test how your heart responds. As you recover, follow the instructions below.
Activity:
- If you received sedation do not drive, operate heavy machinery or make any legal decisions for 24 hours after the procedure.
- Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 24 hours after the procedure.
- You can resume your normal activity 24 hours after the procedure.
- You can resume your normal diet.
Home care:
- You can shower and remove the bandage after 24 hours.
- Always wash your hands before you touch the catheter insertion site or remove/change the bandage.
- Keep the insertion site clean and dry.
- Wash the site gently with soap and water.
- Do not use any lotions or ointments near the site.
- Look at the site daily to check for signs of infection such as swelling, redness or drainage.
- You may notice some soreness and bruising at the insertion site. It should get better in the next 2-3 days.
- You may see a spot of blood on the bandage when you remove it for the first time. That is normal.
- If you have any uncontrolled bleeding hold pressure directly to the site for 15 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop continue to hold pressure on the site and call your health care provider's office.
Taking medications
- Take your medications exactly as directed. Do not skip doses.
- You may need a mild pain medicine such as Tylenol for the first 24 hours.
- If you cannot afford your medication please talk with your health care provider.
When to seek medical attention
Call 911 right away if you have:
Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following:
- Pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, or drainage at the insertion site
- Coldness, numbness, or a bluish color in the leg or arm that held the catheter. If your health care provider's office is closed, go to Emergency Department (ED)
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher