Before the procedure
Anesthesiologist will give your patient a sedative to help him relax before the procedure. Patients are sedated but not asleep during most PCIs.
In areas where a catheter will be put, such as the groin or wrist, the hair may be removed.
An intravenous (IV) line is inserted, allowing doctors to quickly provide patients with drugs as necessary.
A pulse oximeter will be clipped on a finger or ear to check the oxygen level in the patient’s blood, and electrodes will be implanted on his body to monitor his heart.
During the procedure
Depending on the complexity, a PCI might take from one to three hours.
On a procedure table, a patient will be lying on his back. At the place where the catheter will be implanted, a local anesthetic will be administered.
When the catheter reaches the heart, a contrast dye will be administered, to allow doctors to view the restricted portion of the artery on an X-ray. The physicians will next conduct the PCI that is most suitable for this condition.
The catheter will be removed after the procedure is completed, and pressure will be administered to the insertion site to stop the bleeding. If the catheter was put via your groin, you must lie flat on your back for many hours with your leg straight. The patient’s arm will be lifted on cushions and held straight with a stabilizing board if the catheter was put in his arm.
After the procedure
The medical team will transport the patient to a recovery room where he will be monitored for many hours. Depending on his health and the type of PCI he had, he’ll need to be in bed for two to six hours.
he may feel a little aching or pain in his chest. doctors can offer him pain killers if his pain is too much.
To help flush the contrast dye from the patient’s body, doctors should advise him to drink much water and other fluids.
Some patients are admitted to the hospital for observation and then go back home the next day.