Cardiac Catheterization Question.

Hi,

In May of this year, my 71 year old mother was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Two years prior, she was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and has had three bouts of pneumonia for which she had to be hospitalized for.

Since her diagnoses of PAD this year, she has undergone a carotid endarterectomy on her right carotid artery and had a 95% occlusion removed. Several months later she had a stent placed in her left femoral artery for a 75% blockage - her right femoral artery is completely occluded and her vascular surgeon wishes to do a femoral bypass at some point later (she has very good collateral circulation in her completely occluded right leg, so he is in no hurry to perform the procedure.)

Last month she underwent a "stress test" and her GP referred her to a cardiologist because, as her GP explained from examining the results, an area of her heart isn't receiving enough oxygen. She has no history of chest pain or angina. The cardiologist (who she never saw, only spoke with on the telephone) made an appointement for her to have a cardiac cathterization done in a nearby city hospital in three days time.

My questions are:

Is this a very dangerous procedure, given my mother's age, history of COPD and severe PAD?

Since one of her femoral arteries is completely occluded and the other just received a stent approximately one month ago, how will she be catheterized?

Please help me, as I am very worried for her safety during the procedure (and of course, the findings.)

Thank you.