Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure in which a narrow tube called a catheter is inserted into the blood vessels within the heart though a vein or artery in the arm, groin or neck. Once placed, the catheter is injected with a dye that allows a doctor to detect or treat conditions related to heart disease. Patients should discuss the potential complications of cardiac catheterization with a doctor before undergoing this procedure.
Blood Vessel Damage
The catheter can accidently damage or scrape the blood vessel as it is passed from the point of insertion into the heart, the National Heart Lung Blood Institute reports. Blood vessel damage complications of cardiac catheterization are typically detected and repaired immediately during this procedure.
Heart Rate or Blood Pressure Changes
Heart rate or blood pressure changes can arise as complications of cardiac catheterization. Affected patients can experience an unusually fast heart rate, accompanied by nausea or vomiting caused by a decline in blood pressure, the Merck Manual Online Medical Library explains. After this procedure is completed, a patient's heart rate and blood pressure typically return to normal.
Kidney Damage
The dye injected into the catheter during cardiac catheterization can cause kidney damage in certain patients, the NHLBI warns. Kidney damage can be permanent and may result in blood pressure changes in affected patients. Patients who have pre-existing kidney problems should discuss these medical issues with a doctor before receiving cardiac catheterization.
Bleeding or Infection
Patients who undergo cardiac catheterization are at an increased risk of developing bleeding or infection complications following this procedure. These complications can result in pain, inflammation or swelling at the site of catheter insertion, according to CardioVascular Associates P.C.. Affected patients may require antibiotic treatment to resolve infection complications of cardiac catheterization.
Heart Attack, Stroke or Death
Severe complications of cardiac catheterization, such as heart attack, stroke or death, affect less than 1 percent of treated patients, according to UpToDate. Though these major complications are rare, patients should be made aware of these risks before having this procedure performed.
Allergic Reaction
Certain patients can experience a severe allergic reaction to the injected dye as a complication of this procedure, warns the NHLBI. Allergic reaction symptoms can be life-threatening and can include breathing difficulties; excessive swelling; hives; and heart rate abnormalities. Patients who develop a severe allergic reaction, also called anaphylactic shock, during cardiac catheterization are typically administered epinephrine to resolve symptoms, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library reports.
References
- National Heart Lung Blood Institute: What Are the Risks of Cardiac Catheterization?
- UpToDate: Complications of Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Cardiac Catheterization - Complications
- CardioVascular Associates P.C.: Cardiac Catheterization and Angiography
- MayoClinic.com: Cardiac Catheterization
