Prepare Your Child for a Heart Cath

Depending on your child’s age there are different ways to prepare them for a heart catheterization procedure in the cath lab. Even though it may seem scary, explaining what is happening to your child at a young age can help them feel more at ease and not be so scared when they get to the hospital.

Infants and toddlers should bring their favorite blanket, stuffed animal, blanket or pacifier to make them feel more at ease and relaxed.
Preschoolers may enjoy watching their favorite video or book. It may be good to tell your preschoolers a few days before the heart catheterization.
Older children can bring in their favorite music to make them feel more at ease. Older children may have questions of their own and parents should answer their questions honestly.

Morning of the Procedure

Your child should not eat or drink anything the morning of the procedure.
Your child will get anesthesia (medicine to put your child to sleep) to make them sleepy and relaxed about 20 minutes before the heart catheterization.
You can stay with your child until it’s time to perform the heart cath.

How is a heart cath performed?

Your child will lie on an exam table that has an X-ray machine over it.
Your child will have his/her heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels carefully monitored by a skilled cath lab team.
Once the catheter gets to the heart, contrast (dye) will be injected to see where the heart defect is, so the cardiologist can repair it. Your child will feel a little warm for a few seconds, during the time the contrast is injected, like drinking hot chocolate fast.

What happens after the heart catheterization procedure?

The catheter will be removed and a bandage will cover your child’s leg where the catheter was put in. Your child will need to keep his/her leg straight for a few hours to decrease bleeding.
Your child will be taken to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), where he/she will be monitored. During this time your child will need to be quiet and lay flat.
Your child’s nurse will monitor the pulses, skin temperature and any bleeding in the leg that was used for the test.
The length of time it takes for your child to wake up varies for each child and the type of medicine given during the cath.
When your child is awake, he/she may drink clear liquids. If this happens without a problem, then your child will be placed on a normal diet.
Your child will be discharged from the hospital, once he/she does not require further monitoring. Instructions for home care of the catheterization site will be given upon discharge.