Diagnostic cardiac catheterization can confirm or exclude the presence of a condition that is suspected from a patient’s history, physical examination, and/or evaluation by such noninvasive methods as ECG, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, and exercise test. Diagnostic cardiac catheterization can be used to clarify a confusing or obscure situation in a patient whose clinical findings and noninvasive testing are unclear. Finally, it can confirm a suspected abnormality in the patient for whom heart surgery is planned and exclude associated abnormalities that might require the surgeon’s attention.

After cardiac catheterization, you will be moved to a special care area. You will rest there for several hours or overnight. During that time, you’ll have to limit your movement to avoid bleeding from the site where the catheter was inserted.

While you recover in this area, nurses will check your heart rate and blood pressure regularly. They also will check for bleeding from the catheter insertion site.

A small bruise might form at the catheter insertion site, and the area may feel sore or tender for about a week. Let your doctor know if you have problems such as:

• A constant or large amount of bleeding at the insertion site that can’t be stopped with a small bandage
• Unusual pain, swelling, redness, or other signs of infection at or near the insertion site

Talk to your doctor about whether you should avoid certain activities, such as heavy lifting, for a short time after the procedure.