What happens after the heart catheterization procedure?
The catheter will be removed and a bandage will cover your child’s leg where the catheter was put in. Your child will need to keep his/her leg straight for a few hours to decrease bleeding. Your child will be taken to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), where he/she will be monitored. During this time your child will need to be quiet and lay flat. Your child’s nurse will monitor the pulses, skin temperature and any bleeding in the leg that was used for the test. The length of time it takes for your child to wake up varies for each child and the type of medicine given during the cath. When your child is awake, he/she may drink clear liquids. If this happens without a problem, then your child will be placed on a normal diet. Your child will be discharged from the hospital, once he/she does not require further monitoring. Instructions for home care of the catheterization site will be given upon discharge.
