Assessment of Nursing Care Given for Children Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization

Abstract

Cardiac catheterization is the most invasive diagnostic procedure in which a radiopaque catheter is inserted through a peripheral blood vessel into the heart. The catheter is usually introduced through percutaneous technique, in which the catheter is threaded through a large-bore needle into the vein. The catheter is guided through the heart with the aid of fluoroscopy, after that the tip of the catheter is within a heart chamber, contrast material is injected, and films are taken of the dilution and circulation of the material (angiography) (Jowett et al., 2007). Cardiac catheterization is the most invasive diagnostic procedure, can lead to serious complications and occasionally death. Complications related to catheter insertion and manipulations include serious arrhythmias, heart block, cardiac perforation, hypoxic spells, arterial obstruction, hemorrhage, and infection. Complications related to contrast injection include reactions to the contrast material, intramyocardial injection, and renal complications as hematuria, proteinuria, oliguria, and anuria (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2009).