Heart catheterization, anyone ??

[luckydog]

Many years ago I convinced my owner not to neuter me........I'm an old dog thats never, ever been cut on.
Now it seems they want to stick a tube up into the old ticker and squirt a bunch of dye around to see what's goin' on (this Fri.).
I'm a little bit nervous...
(actually I'm scared poopless).
I'm sure that a few of the "old timers" here have experienced this procedure.
Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.....

Thanks

LD

[yank51]

What prompted your DR. to order this test? You been tired, listless, had chest pains, etc? It's a fairly simple procedure, but they don't just do it for no reason. I have a history of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) due to long term diabetes AND history of smoking (which I stopped in 1996). Not painful at all because they numb the area they go into (groin area) and you are usually awake enough to actually see what they are doing on a TV monitor when they inject the dye (assuming your DR. allows that, and most do). When they do inject it, you will feel a warm "rush" in your lower body, kind of like you just wet yourself....LOL
What they find will determine what they do from that point. Have you already had a stress test and an echo cardiogram? Most of the time they doe these tests first. AND, I worked for a year on the floor in the heart area (I'm an RN also). Many times if they find blockages, depending on how severe, where they are, etc. they will do a balloon angioplasty (re-expand the artery with a balloon) and then put a stent in if it doesn't want to stay open. They can do wonders compared to 10-15 years ago, and it is a relatively safe procedure. Oh yeah, they will also be giving you "happy juice" to keep you calm, but talkative. When they are finished, you will have to lay flat on your back for a period of time. Used to be 6 hours, but now it's down to around 2 I believe. (just went through this with my Mom a few months ago at age 87. She did fine)

[Daveroo]

not to worry......im 49 and have had it done twice....i dont know why they want to do it on you...chest pain?..pain in the arm?...jaw?..your age?..but they use a local type med on ya....you stay awake...they go in near or in the groin..it doent hurt...but when the dye reaches your heart..you feel a "heat"...like a "hot flash" of sorts...very short..somewhat uncomfortable...but not at all painfull....again..very short sensation...the hard part is staying flat on your back for the time they want you to afterwards.....that part is the pita....i honestly forget the time period...but the first time i was forced to stay the night in the cardac ward in sacramento..second time was like 4 hours flat on my back and i was sent home.....but they do this for fear of bleeding..they use the main artery in your groin and from what i understand you can bleed out in short time if you dont follow the rules....


short story??? the proceedure is easiepiesy...the rest after is a pita.....but nessicary

[aeromed202]

I've taken hundreds to get this procedure done, and it's far from the elite procedure it used to be, down right near common now. Heck there are risks just walking across the street, but our cath teams are awesome. You've heard the rights of it here too, a lot of explanation as to what's going on from the team members, you're awake and more or less comfortable (considering the too cold rooms they often prefer to work in), a little local anesthesia where the cath goes in, then when they're ready they'll inject the dye which gives a brief warm flush feeling, it usually gets done a few times depending on what they need to see. Then, if any blockage is found, they will basically fix it right then and there. I've watched a lot of these from the control booth and it is truly remarkable what this procedure has done for people. And don't be reserved about asking for something to relax you a little, they're quite fine with it and might make all the difference for you too. Good luck.

[SPman]

Yeah - I've had it done after an AMI - they stuck a stent in and hauled it out. Was quite interesting, actually - you could watch everything on the overhead screen if you wanted to. The worst part is lying around making sure the inlet point in your groin doesn't rupture in the next 36 hrs.......take a good book or two!

[norab]

had it done also Luckydog, and was scared Sh**less before I had the procedure. Turned out to be no big thing, felt a little pressure at the groin site, but the only other feelings were a little flitter feeling(almost like a butterfly in my chest at one point and my ears getting hot when they put the dye in. If there are no complications in this region and they use a "Fat Plug" you can be up and about in 4 hours. Some hospitals in my area are now going in through the wrist and you're out and about in 20 minutes if nothing is found. I know exactly how you are feeling right now and I was the same. It turned out to be such a non event that I try and calm anybody who is about to have it done. If no complications it's a piece of cake, Hope this helps, will be praying for you

[papab]

Hey Luckydog,
Best of luck with your tests my friend

Several years ago the wife had several problems and they put her through series of cat scans for the heart that replaces the proceedure you are going to go through. I slices and dices the heart giving 3D views
They found several slightly block arteries 20 & 30 %-no surgery required

You might want to ask your Dr if they have this available in your hospital and if not find one that does...


Rick

[Dev One]

I had a stent ( well 2 actually, 1 behind the other as the first was not long enough) about 2 years ago. They prepped 4 areas, the groin, both sides & both wrists. Surgeon preferred wrists & it was big enough to take the cather. Sensations as above plus one time when pressure felt in the heart area, but surgeon warned at time this would happen. Worst bit after, was the pressure pad on the wrist, very tight, with another catheter needle in the other arm, but had to stay overnight. Now need to take medicines every day to keep blood pressure down as well as Beta blockers. Could see most of time what was happening & they replayed the tape afterwards so could see more comfortably. (French hospital BTW - was seeing a cardiologist for palpitations & on one visit suffered slight angina - 3 weeks later in hospital - very quick!) All well now & cold weather now not a problem, just old age!!! Good luck with your trip.
Keith

[Eoraptor1]

You don't have to be an "old-timer". I had an angiogram last night after having had chest tightness, my second in less than ten years, and am now back home hobbling around. Staff in two hospitals (I watched the Super Bowl from my hospital bed) kept telling me, "you're too young for this". The short story: if you take care of enough relatives who aren't going to get any better, you'll eventually have stress pains. I'm alright; there were no blockages, but it's been a hard 2012 for my groin. I was just getting over a pull and/or tear that went all the way from the taint to the bottom-hole. In any case, I've found flight simulation VERY therapeutic.

JAMES

[rhumbaflappy]

As my dog Sammy will attest, be sure to poop before going into the hospital building... else you might get excited and have an accident on the floor. As all good dogs know, pooping on the floor is a shameful event.

Good luck. ( No biting! )

Dick

[rpjkw]

I've had 7 of these procedures, awake and zonked out, and they were a piece of cake. The worst part is having to lie flat simply because they make you do so.

Good luck, Little Fella!

Bob

[gaucho_59]

As a retired anesthesiologist, I can only attest to the procedure itself...

74 now... I fortunately have not had need for it myself... but on the
basis of a few I supported with some sedation... it is a piece of cake... it
is done routinely with very little incidence of complications...
Notwithstanding, it should not be taken in with bravado... for sh**t DOES
happen... but REMEMBER... you probably take more chances with your
life driving in the Autobahn or stepping into a wet shower stall...
... Be tranquil and confident... it WILL most likely go without incidents...

[Toastmaker]

Don't worry too much - they're experts at this procedure now, plus, you're a good dog and a strong dog and there'll be milkbones waiting for you. . . !

:running:

[T Square]

I have had 3 heart cats, 2 stints, double heart bypass, survived stage 4 kidney cancer, 30 years in the USAF, 1 war, 38 years of marriage, and can still make a woman happy without viagra. Oh and I'm only 57 years old. Peice of cake, don't sweat it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[luckydog]

Wow !! I was expecting maybe 2 or 3 responses.........thanks guys ! You're the greatest !!!
My anxiety level is still pretty high, but you'all have knocked it down quite a few notches.....

@ Rhumbaflappy......will definitely follow your advice !

Thanks again for the support......

LD

[Crusader]

You might as well add my name to the list . I had mine in July 2008 (few months shy of 61 Y/O) . I was walking back from the mail box and had a bad burning pain in my chest and severe shortness of breath . When they did my angioplasty they found one of the main arteries (LAD- Left Anterior Decending) was 95 -100 % blocked . This particular artery is nicknamed " the widow maker ". My cardiologist said I was very lucky . I had two stents put in the LAD and all has been pretty good since . Good luck on your procedure . As all have stated above , angioplasty itself is not bad at all . The stents were a little uncomfortable for me anyway but not painful .

Rich

[n4gix]

Knock-on-wood, I've been lucky so far and haven't had that procedure yet, although I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

Nonetheless, prayers for you will be offered for a successful and stress-free outcome! :wavey:

[Cazzie]

I gotta tap wood too LD, never had a problem with the old ticker. Wish you the best and if you can, come up to VIR for the Chump Car race in March after all is done. I just took a shot of cortisone in my lower back this AM and began PT for two degenerative disks and several arthritic spurs this PM. Had to lift an old dog like you and tote him to the vet Saturday a week ago and the following Monday. He has bladder stones. Now I am paying the price. What we humans do for you canines!

[SPman]

When they did my angioplasty they found one of the main arteries (LAD- Left Anterior Decending) was 95 -100 % blocked . This particular artery is nicknamed " the widow maker ". My cardiologist said I was very lucky . I had two stents put in the LAD and all has been pretty good since . Good luck on your procedure . As all have stated above , angioplasty itself is not bad at all . The stents were a little uncomfortable for me anyway but not painful .

RichSounds the same as mine - I recall the Dr doing the angioplasty saying I should go out and buy a Lotto ticket!....

[GT182]

Actually LD it's to get you to quit licking yer a$$. ;) LOL You'll do just fine, you old dog. :ernae:

[Daveroo]

well todays the day......did he say when he has the procedure?.....i wish him well....

[luckydog]

Thanks for your concern Daveroo, but it didn't happen.

I walked out.

Got there at 8:30 this morning and checked in. They took me back to the prep room almost immediately.
Changed into a gown, re-opened the curtains and sat there watching the nurse fiddle with something.
A guy (male nurse?) walks by and the nurse says: "Oh Robin, you're Mr. Luckdog's IV team (?) today!"
The guy looks startled and confused. "I am?", he responds.
She hands him a wad of tubing, a needle and prep kit.
He swabs the back of my hand but can't seem to get the cap off the needle. The other nurse helps.
"You've got such lovely veins", the guy says and, jabs the needle into a big one.
"Oopsy", he says, "I think I went all the way through !". He twists and pulls and pushes but can't seem to get it right.
Finally, he withdraws the needle completely (looking perplexed) and has me press a gauze pad to the puncture. "Maybe the other hand........".

"Other hand my ass", I said. "Thats it......I'm outa here". After I'm dressed, a doctor (Doogy Howser's twin) walks up and asks what the problem is.
I told him if they couldn't get a little needle into a big fat vein, I wasn't gonna let them try poking a big tube into an artery. And walked out.

UNC is a training hospital. When I got home I looked them up on the computer. They're not even rated in cardiology. I'll see if I can't set something up with Duke ( they're nationally rated ).

Call me a "crybaby", I don't care.

LD

[norab]

not cry baby, It's the smart move, always go to the guys who have real world experience. I would have done the same thing, never be afraid to question the white coaters. If they're good they won't mind and if there not good go elsewhere.

[Daveroo]

wow..id have walked out to..have a talk with your dr..let him know you dont ever,for any reason,wish to be sent to that horsepital again...and if he does..then he will be speaking with the states regulatory comision..in california..there is a website..you download a form..fill it out and mail it in..in days the dr is contacted and usually the issue is presolved....

off topic..but i had an issue with kidney stones..have had for years..went to this guy and he did some things which didnt make sence,after several visits,and no help,while i was in his office waiting to see him,the receptionist walked out and handed me a registered letter,i had to sign for it,,it told me he refused to see me as a patient from that time forward,,but gave no reasons,...i went back to my GP and he sent me to a new urologist,,this one said nicely he wouldnt acept me,the second one,made an appointment,but when i was again in the waiting room,the receptionist said in a loud voice,,,sir you will not be seen by the dr because you are on the high risk list,,i asked what that meant and she said it meant that a privious dr thinks i (baiscally) am faking it...

this news irritated me to no end....so i went home and made some phone calls,,looked into the first drs schooling,bacck ground,citizinship,and other things...ended up filing a complaint with the state medical board agaisnt him, i recieved a second registered letter from him saying i coulld return for treatment,but i refused and passed that on as evidence.....i can now see any urologist i need,,,(none have helped me,ive passed 12 stones in 7 months,the size of a BB) and i was told that the dr in question has returned to India...

rant over...but bottomline is....fight back when somethings not right....that old saying.."cant fight city hall" is long gone

[Toastmaker]

Smart move, LD - really. Sorry for the delay you'll have to have but you can do a LOT better than that !

:running:

[aeromed202]

Big second on Toastmaster. Bug out, and find a new place to get this done. Those doofuses made so many screw ups that didn't even deal with clinical proficiency that my jaw dropped. So seriously, presumably this procedure still needs to be done so start with your doctor to find a new site. Don't let these clowns distract from the real need, just skewer them later.