There are several reasons a person might have a left heart catheterization, and these include: (1) a person has known coronary artery disease that needs to be re-evaluated; (2) a person is having chest pain or shortness of breath on exertion and the suspected cause is blocked arteries around the heart; (3) a person needs to have a heart valve replaced and needs to have the blood flow to the heart muscle evaluated prior to the surgery

There is very little preparation for this procedure. You will likely be asked not to eat or drink for 8 to 12 hours prior to the procedure. Also, you will need to arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

Prior to the beginning of the procedure, you will be given a sedative which will make you feel relaxed and drowsy. However, you will still be able to be awoken if necessary. Then, the area where the catheter will be inserted is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, the catheter is inserted and the procedure is performed.

Complications from this procedure are rare, and the risk of death is very low. Possible risks include: (1) allergic reaction to the dye which can be treated with medicine; (2) damage to the kidneys from the dye; (3) irregular heart rhythms which can be treated with medicine; (4) bleeding can occur at the site where the catheter is inserted; (5) although uncommon, blood clots can form around the catheter or clumps of plaque can be knocked loose from the walls of the arteries during the procedure and can trigger a heart attack or a stroke

You will be asked to do no heavy lifting of greater than 5 pounds for approximately 1 week after the procedure due to possible bleeding from the site where the catheter was inserted. You will also be asked not to take a tub bath until the site where the catheter was inserted is healed; this will help you avoid infection. You can usually return to your normal activities over approximately 1 week.

You should call your cardiologist immediately and/or return to the emergency department immediately if you experience acute onset of chest pain and/or shortness of breath or if you experience rapid swelling or bleeding at the site where the catheter was inserted.

You should follow all the instructions that your healthcare provider gives you.