What happens before the cardiac catheterization procedure?
Many things need to happen before the procedure to make it as safe as possible. We will ask general health questions and your child will have a brief physical exam that includes weight and height measurements. You will meet many people involved in caring for your child before and during the catheterization. A cardiac anesthesiologist will meet you and talk about how your child will be kept comfortable during the procedure. The anesthesiologist will be in charge of getting your child to sleep and keeping her from feeling any pain during the procedure. You also will meet the doctor who will be performing the procedure and inserting your child’s catheter. The doctor and a nurse practitioner will explain the procedure, the risks and the benefits of the procedure to you before it starts. Then you and your child will be brought into the induction area. In the induction area, your child will be given a mild sedative, and then she will be brought into the catheterization laboratory. You may be
