edure using small, adhesive electrodes. Your vital signs (heart rate,
blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation level) will be monitored
during the procedure.
- There will be several monitor screens in the room, showing your vital signs,
the images of the catheter being moved through the body into the heart,
and the structures of the heart as the dye is injected.
- You will receive a sedative medication in your IV before the procedure
to help you relax. However, you will likely remain awake during the procedure
- Your pulses below the injection site will be checked and marked so that
the circulation to the limb below the site can be checked after the procedure.
- A local anesthetic will be injected into the skin at the insertion site.
You may feel some stinging at the site for a few seconds after the local
anesthetic is injected.
- Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, a sheath, or introducer, will
be inserted into the blood vessel. This is a plastic tube through which
the catheter will be inserted into the blood vessel and advanced into
- The valvuloplasty catheter will be inserted through the sheath into the
blood vessel. The doctor will advance the catheter through the vein or
artery across the heart valve. Fluoroscopy (a special type of X-ray that
will be displayed on a TV monitor) may be used to assist in advancing
the catheter to the heart.
- Once the catheter is in place, contrast dye will be injected through the
catheter into the valve in order to look at the area. You may feel some
effects when the contrast dye is injected into the IV line. These effects
include a flushing sensation, a salty or metallic taste in the mouth,
or a brief headache. These effects usually last for a few moments.
- You should tell the doctor if you feel any breathing difficulties, sweating,
numbness, itching, chills, nausea and/or vomiting, or heart palpitations.
- The doctor will watch the contrast dye injection on a monitor. The doctor
may ask you to take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds.
- Once the balloon is in place and has been inflated, you may notice some
dizziness or even brief chest discomfort. This should subside when the
balloon is deflated. However, if you notice any severe discomfort or pain,
such as chest pain, neck or jaw pain, back pain, arm pain, shortness of
breath, or breathing difficulty, tell your doctor.
- The balloon may be inflated and deflated several times in order open the valve.
- Once it has been determined that the valve is opened sufficiently, the
catheter will be removed. The catheter insertion site may be closed with
a closure device that uses collagen to seal the opening in the artery,
by the use of sutures, or by applying manual pressure over the area to
keep the blood vessel from bleeding. Your doctor will determine which
method is appropriate for your condition.
- If a closure device is used, a sterile dressing will be applied to the
site. If manual pressure is used, the doctor (or an assistant) will hold
pressure on the insertion site so that a clot will form. Once the bleeding
has stopped, a very tight bandage will be placed on the site. A small
sandbag or other type of weight may be placed on top of the bandage for
additional pressure on the site, especially if the site is in the groin.
- Your doctor may decide not to remove the sheath, or introducer, from the
insertion site for approximately 4 to 6 hours, in order to allow the effects
of blood-thinning medication given during the procedure to wear off. You
will need to lie flat during this time. If you become uncomfortable in
this position, your nurse may give you medication to make you more comfortable.
- You will be assisted to slide from the table onto a stretcher so that you
can be taken to the recovery area. NOTE: If the insertion was in the groin,
you will not be allowed to bend your leg for several hours. To help you
remember to keep your leg straight, the knee of the affected leg may be
covered with a sheet and the ends tucked under the mattress on both sides
of the bed to form a type of loose restraint.
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