What Happens After a Cardiac Cath?
If the catheter was inserted in your arm for your cardiac cath, the catheter and sheath are removed. The incision will be bandaged. You will need to keep your arm straight for at least an hour. You will be able to walk around. You will be observed for a few hours to make sure you are feeling well after the procedure. You may receive medication to relieve discomfort in your arm after the anesthetic wears off. You will be given instructions regarding how to care for your arm when you return home. Tell your nurse if you think you are bleeding or feel any numbness or tingling in your fingers. If the catheter was inserted in your groin, the introducer sheath will be removed and the incision will be closed with stitches, a collagen seal, or applied pressure. In some situations, the introducer sheath may be sutured into place and removed later when the risk of bleeding is lower. A collagen seal is a protein material that works with your body’s natural healing processes to form a clot in the a
