Cardiac catheterization can be done to fix some congenital heart defects. This is a kind of heart problem that your child is born with.
There are different kinds of heart defects. The heart may have a hole between its chambers. Or a valve or artery may not have formed the right way. In some cases, a heart valve, artery, or chamber may not have formed at all. Any of these can affect how blood flows through the heart or blood vessels.
Your doctor doesn't need to make any cuts to do this procedure. Instead, the doctor uses a thin tube called a catheter. First, the doctor puts the catheter into a blood vessel in the groin area, neck, or other place on your child's body. Then the catheter is moved through the blood vessel to the heart. Finally, the doctor puts special tools through the catheter to fix the problem. Then the catheter is removed from your child's body.
It can be scary when your child has a heart problem. It may help to learn as much as you can about your child's condition. You may also want to talk with other parents who have a child with a similar problem.
Procedures can be stressful for both your child and you. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your child's procedure.
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child has any problems.
A congenital heart defect is a problem with how a child's heart formed. The doctor repaired your child's heart defect by putting a thin tube, called a catheter, into the heart through a blood vessel. The catheter may have been put into a blood vessel in the groin, neck, or other place on your child's body.
Your child may have a bruise or a small lump where the catheter was put in (the catheter site). The area may feel sore for a few days after the procedure. Your child may need more sleep than usual for a few days.
This procedure can be stressful for you and your child. Your child's recovery will depend on the type of heart defect your child had. Your child may need more than one procedure or surgery to repair the problem. And your child may need to take medicines and see a heart doctor throughout life.
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