What is a Cardiac Catheter and what does the procedure involve?
This procedure is performed in the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory under sterile conditions. A general anaesthetic is administered to your child. Through a skin puncture in the groin, a very fine catheter is moved towards the heart, via a large artery or vein. The position of the catheter is followed on an X-ray screen. The procedure usually takes one to two hours. The catheter is then removed and a padded dressing applied to the groin area. On completion of the procedure your child will remain in the recovery unit of the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory where they are closely monitored and then transferred to the Children s Ward. Your child’s’ doctor will speak with you following the completion of the procedure and explain the plan of care. After the procedure your child may be sleepy and so we aim to provide a quiet environment for their recovery. A nurse will closely monitor the child until they have recovered from the procedure and during this time they will have an Intravenous cannula (IV)
