Precise and Professional Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Cardiovascular diseases have long been one of the top ten causes of death in our country, ranking second. With an aging population and gradual westernization of dietary habits, the number of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases is trending towards a younger demographic and increasing year by year. In order to serve a wide range of heart patients and provide the public with more comprehensive medical services, Taiwan Adventist Hospital integrates medical resources from the Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Surgery, and various specialties to establish the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
Our Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology at the level of a medical center. We utilize fully digital flat-panel vascular X-ray machines and advanced color vascular ultrasound. These machines offer unique advantages such as low radiation dosage, high-resolution HD vascular images, dynamic rotational cardiovascular 3D images, and intravascular soft plaque analysis, providing various invasive examinations and treatments.
With high-tech equipment, a professional technical team, and high-quality and efficient services, our Lab creates a distinctive, high-quality, patient-oriented, and effective cardiovascular disease treatment center, offering you comprehensive cardiac medical care.
Cardiac catheterization is a medical procedure that involves using a specially designed, opaque catheter inserted through the peripheral arteries of the thigh or wrist into the coronary arteries of the heart. It then involves injecting a contrast agent and using X-ray fluoroscopy to examine the blood flow, location of abnormalities, and their severity within the heart's blood vessels. Cardiac catheterization is currently considered the most accurate method for diagnosing coronary artery disease.
Cardiac catheterization is recommended for the following conditions:
Suspected or confirmed coronary artery disease
Valvular heart disease
Congenital heart disease
Myocardial disease
Arrhythmias
The primary purposes of cardiac catheterization include:
Assessing cardiac function.
Establishing a definitive diagnosis of heart diseases.
Utilizing catheterization for therapeutic interventions.
Monitoring treatment outcomes.
Evaluating the need for surgical interventions.
Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure and carries some inherent risks. However, the risks are relatively low, with a related mortality rate of approximately one in a thousand. Possible complications during the procedure may include arrhythmias, contrast agent allergies, myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, and post-procedure bleeding or vascular thrombosis. It is worth noting that with the current advanced medical technology and skilled physicians, the occurrence rate of these complications has been minimized.
Hospitalization on the day before or the day of the procedure.
Completion of a consent form for cardiac catheterization by the patient and their family.
Pre-procedural tests, including chest X-rays, echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (ECG), blood tests, and blood pressure measurement.
Hair in the groin or wrist area will be shaved.
Arteries in the feet or forearm will be marked to facilitate post-procedure assessment of pulse and circulation.
Fasting from food and water for 4 to 6 hours before the procedure.
Patients are required to have a family member or companion accompany them on the day of the procedure.
Patients change into surgical attire and empty their bladders before the procedure.
Accompany by the nursing staff or a family number to the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
During the procedure, family members will wait outside the laboratory.
The patient is positioned flat on the examination table, and once the position is secured, the physician disinfects the puncture site.
Subsequently, local anesthesia is administered at the puncture site.
A sterile catheter is inserted into the femoral or radial artery and advanced along the vessel to reach the opening of the coronary arteries.
Contrast dye is injected for X-ray imaging.
Following the procedure's conclusion, the catheter is extracted, and the puncture site is manually compressed using either the hand or hemostatic gauze for 10 to 15 minutes to achieve hemostasis. Subsequently, a sterile dressing covered with gauze will be applied.
Continuous pressure with a sandbag will be applied to the examination site until the patient's condition stabilizes, and afterward, they will be transferred back to their wards.
Precautions during the Examination Process
You will remain awake throughout the entire procedure, and we kindly request your cooperation in following instructions to take deep breaths or perform coughing maneuvers as necessary.
While receiving the contrast dye injection, you may briefly experience sensations of warmth or nausea. Please rest assured, as there is no need for alarm. Deep breathing can assist in relieving this discomfort, and it usually subsides quickly.
If you experience any discomfort such as chest tightness, chills, fever, nausea, palpitations, or difficulty breathing, please promptly inform the medical staff.
The cardiac catheterization procedure typically lasts between 30 minutes to one hour. If abnormal coronary artery vessels are discovered during the procedure, the physician may perform balloon angioplasty or place stents as necessary.
Following the completion of the procedure and upon returning to the ward, our nursing staff will provide diligent post-procedure care. This includes close monitoring of vital signs, encompassing temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure. Furthermore, they will assess the sensation, temperature, and circulation in the patient's extremities while remaining vigilant for any signs of bleeding at the puncture site.
For patients who have undergone femoral artery catheterization, it is essential to maintain continuous pressure with a sandbag for a duration of 4 to 6 hours, all while remaining in a supine position in bed. During this time, it is advised not to flex the limb on the side of the puncture site, although movement of other body parts is permitted as desired. This approach ensures proper post-procedure care and helps minimize complications.
Precautions during Confinement to Bed
During the 24-hour post-procedure period, it is necessary to stay confined to the bed. Please use a urinal or bedpan and avoid getting out of bed to prevent the risk of potential bleeding.
If you experience sensations of warmth, dizziness, excessive sweating, or chest pain in the groin area, please promptly notify the medical staff.
For patients who underwent wrist examinations: A pressure dressing will be applied at the puncture site, and it is advised to rest and refrain from bending the wrist. The pressure dressing can be removed after 3 hours if there is no bleeding.
After returning to your ward, if you do not experience nausea, vomiting, or other discomfort, you may begin eating.
It is advisable to drink ample water to help eliminate the contrast agent.
.In case of nausea, vomiting, fever, increased heart rate, or any discomfort such as coldness, numbness, tingling in the examined limb, or bleeding or bruising at the puncture site, please promptly inform the medical staff.
Following one night of hospital observation without any discomfort or complications, you will be discharged to continue resting at home.
Before your discharge from the hospital, our nursing staff will change the dressing on your wound and cover it with fresh gauze.
You may take a regular shower at home. Afterward, please keep the wound dry and clean, and there’s no need to apply any extra medications.
Monitor the wound for any signs of redness, fever, swelling, or other abnormalities. If you observe any unusual conditions, please return to the hospital for prompt medical evaluation.
If you had a groin examination, avoid frequent bending your thigh or exerting force on the abdomen for one week. Activities like climbing stairs, cycling, jumping, or prolonged squatting should be avoided during this time.
If you underwent a wrist examination, refrain from exerting force on the wrist or lifting heavy objects for three days to prevent bleeding at the puncture site.
Ensure you get ample of rest and maintain a regular daily routine while keeping your emotions stable.
You can return to your normal dietary habits; no dietary changes are necessary.
Regarding sexual activity, it is advisable to discuss resuming normal activities with your physician one week after the examination.
Be sure to attend your follow-up appointments as scheduled.
Cardiac Angiography
Coronary Artery Balloon Angioplasty
Intravascular Stent Placement
Intracoronary Ultrasound
Transcatheter Pacemaker Placement
Insertion or Replacement of Permanent Cardiac Pacemakers
基督復臨安息日會醫療財團法人臺安醫院 Taiwan Adventist Hospital
No.424, Sec. 2, Bade Rd., Songshan District, Taipei City 10556, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
886-2-27718151 
886-2-27775623 
services@tahsda.org.tw
