After catheterization

[Deborah__0__0]

Posted by Deborah on July 17, 1999 at 14:32:08
I had a catheterization a couple of years ago and although all came back clear, I experienced pain in my heart when the catheter was being removed and for a couple of days after the procedure I suffered a low-grade fever.  The fever probably wasn't from the dye because I was given some type of steriod to counteract an allergic reaction.  My main concern is about the pain I suffered during the removal of the catheter.  Could the catheter have scarred, NOT the Aorta, but the small artery that the catheter was put into to shoot the dye?  The reason I'm asking is because I do know that if small arteries are scarred, they have to heal and sometimes this causes a little lump inside the artery.  I'm concerned that it may have created a blockage in my artery and even if it's not a big blockage yet, that someday it will be after fat and cholesterol form there.  I do know that ever since the procedure I've experienced LOTS of PACs which have been diagnosed by another cardiologist AND THIS ISN'T STRESS RELATED - PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME THAT.  This happens ALL THE TIME EVERYDAY AND THIS DID NOT HAPPEN BEFORE THE PROCEDURE.  I have within the past 7 months had a stress echo because I was concerned about this and it came back normal.  Please tell me if there's a possibility that the small artery he shot the dye into could have been "scarred" by the catheter brushing against the wall of it, then "healed" and now there's a "lump" in there for lack of a better term?  And if that's the case, could it cause heart disease in that artery later?  And what is the name of that artery and is the blow flow through it INTO or AWAY from the heart?  Also just so you'll know, I'm very petite and my ateries are small which is another reason I'm concerned the catheter may have scarred the artery he shot the dye into. I'm young.  I do not want to have to go through the rest of my life concerned about this.  My ateries were clear to begin with.  The test probably should've never been performed, but my doctor was very arrogant and I think money hungry.  Please help.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on July 19, 1999 at 08:07:18
Dear Deborah,
Cardiac catheterization will not cause scarring to the artery as you have suggested.  You do not need to worry about this as a cause of your symptoms.  I would suggest a holter monitor to track your ECG over time and determine the extent of your PACs.
Take some comfort in the fact that your stress test was normal.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your
physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire
online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your
physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire
online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.