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Caring for Yourself after Cardiac Catherization/ Arterial Angiography/ Brachial or Radial Artery

Your cardiac catheterization on _______________________________ was through the

 

RIGHT   /   LEFT   BRACHIAL   /   RADIAL artery.

 

Going Home

  • Have someone drive you home.  You should not drive at all today.
  • Rest quietly for the remainder of the day.

Care of the Incision

  • You may shower after 24 hours.  Remove the bandage over the puncture site or incision before showering. 
  • For the next 3 days
    • Gently clean the site using soap and water while in the shower.  Dry thoroughly.  Do not rub the site.
    • You may apply an antibacterial ointment (i.e. Neosporin®). Do not use lotions or powders in the area.
    • Cover the site with a band-aid  or dressing.  Make sure to cover the entire area.  A square adhesive band-aid  works well.
    • Keep the site clean and dry to prevent infection.  If the band-aid or dressing becomes wet, remove it and replace it with a new one.
    • Inspect the site daily for redness, swelling, drainage, or streaks going toward your elbow or upper arm.

Activities

  1. Do not let anyone take your blood pressure on that arm for 3 days.
  2. Keep your arm elevated overnight and while you are at rest for 2-3 days to prevent swelling.
  3. Do not lift more than 10 pounds for 1 week or until the wound has healed.
  4. No vigorous activity for 1 week.
  5. Do not soak your wound in a bathtub, hot tub, or go into a swimming pool for 1 week or until the site has completely healed.

What to Expect

  1. Soreness or tenderness at the site that may last 1 week.
  2. Mild oozing from the incision site.
  3. Bruising at the site that may take 2-3 weeks to go away.
  4. A small lump (dime to quarter size) which may last up to 6 weeks.

What to Do for Minor Pain

  • You may take Tylenol® 325mg tablets every 4-6 hours.
  • You may put an ice pack or hot pack over the site for 20 minutes every 2 hours.  Do not let the site get wet.

Signs and Symptoms of Infection

  • Redness, swelling or drainage at the site.
  • Prolonged pain.
  • Fever over 100.4 F for two readings taken 4 hours apart .
  • A red streak going towards your elbow or upper arm.

When to Call for Help

 

Call 911 for emergency help if

  • Bleeding or sudden swelling should occur at the site.  Apply direct pressure and raise your wrist or arm above the level of your heart.  If the bleeding does not stop after 5 minutes of placing constant pressure on the site, call for help.  Keep pressing until you get help.
  • Your hand becomes numb, cold, or turns blue or you have severe pain.

Call your doctor right away if you notice

  • Any signs of infection.
  • Severe pain.

Phone Numbers

 

UW Heart and Vascular Care Clinic: (608) 263-1530.

 

After hours, nights, weekends, and holidays, the paging operator will answer this number.  Ask for the cardiac doctor on call.  Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

 

A.  Medicines

 

Continue to take your present medicines as prescribed.  Tell your doctor of any side effects.  Do not stop taking a medicine without talking to your doctor.

 

If you had a stent placed, you must take Plavix® (Clopidogrel®) for a prescribed time.  Before you go home, make sure you have a prescription for Plavix®.  If you are not able to pay for this medicine, tell your nurse or pharmacist.

 

Additions or changes to your present medicines

 

1. ________________________________________________________________

 

2. ________________________________________________________________

 

3. ________________________________________________________________

 

4. ________________________________________________________________

 

5. ________________________________________________________________

 

B. Laboratory tests

 

1. ________________________________________________________________

 

2. ________________________________________________________________

 

3. ________________________________________________________________

 

C. Other visits or follow-up needs

 

1. ________________________________________________________________

 

2. ________________________________________________________________

 

3. ________________________________________________________________

 

D. You may return to work on ________________________________.

 

E. Schedule a follow-up visit with Dr. _________________________in

________ weeks

 

The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6120.

 



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 12/17/2008

Copyright © 12/17/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5691

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