Heart Cath Questions

I am scheduled to have a heart cath done in a few weeks and have some general questions that I'm sure you can help me with:

1) I am scheduled for a Left heart cath.  What is the difference between a LEFT heart cath and a RIGHT cath?  Is one more accurate than the other? (my doc is doing the cath due to chest pain and fainting)

2) My father had a cath done about 8-10 years ago and he had to lay on his back for 6-8 hours afterwards while the area where the cath had been inserted closed off.  When my doctor described the cath to me, he did not mention having to lay there for so long -- he said after the cath I would have a clamp on my leg for about 20 minutes and then something else for about 10 minutes.  Should I plan on having to lay still for a long time afterwards like my dad did?

3) I have a lot of stairs in my house (I have to go up and down in order to get to the bathroom and the kitchen is downstairs).  Will my stair climbing be restricted after the cath (presuming everything looks ok)?

Thank you in advance for your answers to these questions.  I find your forum a very valuable tool.

Best regards,

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear itch,

1) I am scheduled for a Left heart cath. What is the difference between a LEFT heart cath and a RIGHT cath? Is
     one more accurate than the other? (my doc is doing the cath due to chest pain and fainting)
A: A left heart cath is done to look at the coronary arteries and is done through the aterial system.  A right heart cath is done to look at the heart and lung pressures and loading conditions and is done through the venous system.  There are two completely different tests used to look at different things.

     2) My father had a cath done about 8-10 years ago and he had to lay on his back for 6-8 hours afterwards while
     the area where the cath had been inserted closed off. When my doctor described the cath to me, he did not
     mention having to lay there for so long -- he said after the cath I would have a clamp on my leg for about 20
     minutes and then something else for about 10 minutes. Should I plan on having to lay still for a long time
     afterwards like my dad did?
A: It depends on the technique your doctor uses.  The standard technique is still to have the patient supine for about 6 hours. However there are new closure devices, such as a collagen plug, that allow the patient to get up much sooner.  Ask your doctor which technique he uses.  

     3) I have a lot of stairs in my house (I have to go up and down in order to get to the bathroom and the kitchen is
     downstairs). Will my stair climbing be restricted after the cath (presuming everything looks ok)?
A: Usually not but this will be up to your doctor.

[Brenda]

I am not a doctor, but my husband had a heart cath last Nov.  He did not have to lay still, because they now put a "plug" in the area when they insert the catheter.  He was to take it easy for the day to two following, but it really didn't bother him otherwise.  He was able to resume his normal activites.  Good luck.

[Susan8]

Hi, Im 25 and have had 2 heart caths.  My heart ruptured in June last year, and I had all sorts of different tests including the heart caths.  I am from the UK so whether the procedures are done differently here I don't know, but after mine I had to lie down for 4 hours, and then was told to walk around slowly to make sure the incision did not bleed anymore.  I was not allowed to get up or move my leg for the 4 hours afterwards.  I had what you call a jelly bag on my groin,to put pressure on the incision throughoout the 4 hours.  After the 4 hrs on my first cath, I was OK, and was discharged from hospital, but the second one, I bled after the 4 hours, so I had to stay in bed a further hour until it stopped completely.  If you would like to email me if you have any more questions regarding the cath then please feel free.  I have also had open heart surgery to repair my rupture, so although I am not a doctor, I have learnt alot over the past year, and may be able to help you.  My email is ***@****.  Also could you let me know what time you managed to get your question posted on the forum, as I have been trying to post one for 2 weeks.