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More about Cardiac Catheterization:
Definition Purpose Precautions Preparation Aftercare Risks Normal results Abnormal results Resources |
Similar to all surgical procedures, the cardiac catheterization test does involve some risks. Complications that may occur during the procedure include
- cardiac arrhythmias (an irregular heart beat)
- pericardial tamponade (a condition that causes excess pressure in the pericardium which affects the heart due to accumulation of excess fluid)
- the rare occurrence of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke may also develop due to clotting or plaque rupture of one or more of the coronary or brain arteries.
Before left-side catheterization is performed, the anticoagulant medication heparin may be administered. This drug helps decrease the risk of the development of a blood clot in an artery (thrombosis) and blood clots traveling throughout the body (embolization).
The risks of the catheterization procedure increase in patients over the age of 60, those who have severe heart failure, or persons with serious valvular heart disease.
— Beth A. Kapes
