Right heart catheterisation

[Princess Pooper]

Anyone had it done? (suspected PAH resulting from limited systemic sclerosis).

Told today I'm being referred to one of the specialist centres for the procedure. Given that at present I appear to all intents and purposes healthy and have only very minor signs (occasional palpitations; slight shortness of breath on exertion) and it has been flagged up at a routine annual echo (ie I'm not at death's door yet), then does anyone know how long they keep you in for? Is it an overnight jobbie?

 

[Alicecow]

Don't know, sorry. Hopefully they'll be able to give you some idea of how long when you see the specialist. Hope it goes well

 

[milkloss]

I know a chap that had a similar type op for a bleed that was near his groin and filling his sack up with blood He said it was surreal watching them feed a wire down the vessels from his armpit on the live XRay machine. Was in and out in a day and no issues. I dare say yours might be different but thought it might help.

 

[Deereone]

I know a chap that had a similar type op for a bleed that was near his groin and filling his sack up with blood He said it was surreal watching them feed a wire down the vessels from his armpit on the live XRay machine. Was in and out in a day and no issues. I dare say yours might be different but thought it might help.

That paints a grim picture. Thankfully something a princess will never suffer.
All the best Pooper

 

[Princess Pooper]

I know a chap that had a similar type op for a bleed that was near his groin and filling his sack up with blood He said it was surreal watching them feed a wire down the vessels from his armpit on the live XRay machine. Was in and out in a day and no issues. I dare say yours might be different but thought it might help.

Thanks - my fr in law had a similar procedure and then a stent fitted (not an option for me) but as he was suffering from heart failure at the time I couldn't compare as he was in for another 10 days and he was almost twice my age. I'm hoping it's a quick in and out, not sure if I will see specialist and a load of tests first and then have a further appt for the procedure or whether it's straight to the procedure (suspect the latter as it is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of PAH) as I've already had echo, lung function tests and I'm in a very high risk group for this particular rarity.

 

[milkloss]

Thanks - my fr in law had a similar procedure and then a stent fitted (not an option for me) but as he was suffering from heart failure at the time I couldn't compare as he was in for another 10 days and he was almost twice my age. I'm hoping it's a quick in and out, not sure if I will see specialist and a load of tests first and then have a further appt for the procedure or whether it's straight to the procedure (suspect the latter as it is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of PAH) as I've already had echo, lung function tests and I'm in a very high risk group for this particular rarity.

I hope it goes well for you, I can't remeber if any pre op procedures were necessary such as mrsa swabs etc but that might be the only thing that slows things down you would hope.

 

[Princess Pooper]

That's a relief.

Had a day of tests at Sheffield today, ECG, 6 minute shuttle walk /(run!), chest x-ray, lung function tests and finally a very lengthy and comprehensive echo which was also used as a tutorial for a couple of junior doctors. Given the sildenafil I am already taking is about what they would put me on if I have PAH then at present they have decided I am not showing enough signs to undertake an invasive procedure (the heart catheterisation). I do have to keep an eye on it though with my continued annual tests.

What with getting work done first, driving there and finding the hospital, the usual stress of getting parked up and finding the right place to report to, a day inside and then driving back I'm shattered. Makes me realise how much stress I had been holding onto I think! When I commented that my husband would get a few more years work out of me yet the consultant thought it hilarious.

 

[wr.]

I've had an ablation procedure where a catheter was put into my groin and up into my heart. 6 hours of lying still, fully conscious and watching the whole job on two monitors above my head. Fascinating to watch and a total success which has changed my life. I know the right heart catheterisation is performed for a different purpose but I guess it's roughly the same procedure although not so long. Even got my bits shaved by a very pretty nurse and I behaved impeccably

 

[JCMaloney]

Done by robotics at "work", consultant sits in another room with something like an X-Box controller ! Fascinating to watch, just to give you folk an idea, they can now replace heart valves the same way. Each set of "tools" for the robot is £12,500 ....each patient has 2 (in case one breaks/snaps is dropped!)...lucky they are "sale or return" !! If its a valve job the new valves are around £9,000 a pop.
The robot is.....pricey.