MIL getting procedure - info?

I am a first year nursing student. I just found out my DMIL will be getting a procedure done on Monday at the hospital where I will have clinicals. I knew she hadn't been feeling well and has had some tests, but she didn't let on the seriousness (she is the non drama type who downplays everything)

The procedure she is getting done is I guess the one where they check for blockages...what is that called? I have also heard there is a probability of coding during the procedure and if she does they would have to do emergency open heart (bypass?) surgery.

Cardiac Cath

I just was looking for a bit more info on this procedure so that if something God forbid doesn't go well I will have a little knowledge of what is going on. What floor is this usually done on? If she does have open heart will she be on the ICU floor? I will be doing clinicals on the Surgical floor but I doubt she would be on this floor..I was thinking some type of special cardiac floor?

Appreciate any insight... I tell ya... I had my hospital orientation this morning and they discussed in great detail compassion for our patient and family, and showing a caring attitude. I would have never guessed how quickly it would be my loved one in this situation and it gives me a new perspective before I ever begin!!

Likely in a cardiac care unit. Slight risk of MI while this procedure is being done. Only because they are inserting a catheter up her femoral artery (in most cases) and guiding it into her heart to look for blockages. As this goes through the heart, if there is a blockage it could cause an MI.

Really - only reason they would need to do a CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) is if the blockage is too severe or too complicated, or too many to do with a angioplasty or a stent.

My brother has had 5 or 6 heart caths(he's only 30 y/o) my dad has had 2. My mom is a cardiac nurse. I understand this pretty well.

Thanks for the reply! So..if she doesn't arrest..and there are no major blockages, they can just place a stent? What is the recovery for something like that?

Thanks!

PS...does this have anything to do with where they inject a dye? Sorry to sound so dumb..but I am! LOL I am waiting on all my textbooks to arrive ... or else I'd look it up!

Thanks for the reply! So..if she doesn't arrest..and there are no major blockages, they can just place a stent? What is the recovery for something like that?

Thanks!

PS...does this have anything to do with where they inject a dye? Sorry to sound so dumb..but I am! LOL I am waiting on all my textbooks to arrive ... or else I'd look it up!

Stent - Cardiac Cath - Flat on back for 6 hours I think. Of course it will be nice if they have a stryker bed.

Recovery is a matter of days. Maybe 2 - 3. Heavy lifting out for a couple days.

It is not very common to arrest during this procedure. I hope this has helped some.

yes they will inject dye so that they can see the coronary arteries, and usually check the pumping action of the heart, depending on what they use she could be oob in 2 hours or 6hours if stent is placed bedrest is several more hours. home after a day or so.