Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting - Information for ... - Library

PREPARATIONOn admission, the nurse looking after you will be able to adviseyou of what time you need to starve from and when you must stopdrinking from. This depends on when you will be having yourprocedure. On the morning of your procedure your nurse will askyou to have a shower or a bath. Before coming into hospitalplease shave the hair in your groin about an inch at both sides, asthis is where the tube is passed into the blood vessel under localanaesthetic. If you are unable or unsure about doing this, it canbe done in hospital.In case medication and fluids are needed to be given during theprocedure, a small plastic tube (called a venflon or cannula) willbe placed in the back of your hand or arm. A gown and pants willbe provided for you to wear during your procedure. About an hourbefore you go for your angioplasty or stent implant you may begiven the opportunity to have a “pre medication” ofeither a tablet or an injection to help you relax.These are not routinely used but you can ask forthis if you feel particularly anxious.The procedure is performed away from the ward inone of the catheter rooms (labs). The lab containsthe specialised X-ray and monitoring equipmentrequired for the procedure. The staff in thedepartment wear gowns and gloves, as this is aclean procedure.DURING THE ANGIOPLASTY / STENT IMPLANTIf you have previously had a cardiac catheter you will find there isreally very little difference in what to expect during the procedure.bed onto the X-ray table, which is narrow, firm and moves up anddown as required. Heart monitoring (ECG) leads will be attachedto your arms and legs. Your groin or wrist will be cleaned by anantiseptic lotion and covered with sterile towels.A local anaesthetic will be injected to numb the skin around thearea where the tube be inserted. You should feel no pain apartfrom the initial sting of the local anaesthetic. Once the guide wirehas been passed through the artery in the groin orwrist, you will not feel it as it is passed up to your heart.With the help of a dye, X-rays and a television screenthe narrowing in the artery is seen. The X-rayequipment will be brought close to your chest to allowthe balloon catheter to be positioned. You will beasked to rest your arms above your head during partsof the procedure so they do not get in the way of theX-ray machine.Whilst the balloon is being inflated in the coronary artery, you mayexperience your usual angina symptoms which you should informthe doctor of straightaway. This is due to the balloon causing atemporary blockage of blood flow through the artery and is to beexpected.The procedure may take 30 minutes or longer depending on thecomplexity and number of the narrowings in your coronary arteries.If more than one coronary artery requires treatment, each may betreated during the one procedure or on separate occasions.The sheath inserted in the groin or wrist to allow the catheter to bepassed to the heart, will be removed at the end of the procedure.Sometimes the sheath in the groin may need to remain for a fewhours after or sometimes until the following morning. Sometimesa ‘Closure Device’ is used to seal the entrance hole in the artery.On arrival at the catheter room, you will be transferred from your-5--6-