Cardiac Catheterization

Coronary Angiography, Heart Catheterization

Risks

Complications of cardiac catheterization are rare, but they can be life-threatening. Serious complications are more likely to occur in people who are critically ill or elderly. Serious complications may include:

• Heart attack or stroke. On rare occasions, the catheter tip can dislodge a blood clot or some debris from the inside wall of the artery. The clot or debris can travel through the bloodstream until it lodges in a smaller artery, blocking the blood flow.
• Blockage of blood flow to the arm or leg below the area where the catheter was inserted. Surgery may be needed to restore the blood circulation.
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). In rare cases, this procedure may produce a persistent abnormal heart rhythm. The abnormal rhythm usually corrects itself or becomes normal after treatment with medicine. In some cases, an electrical shock (electrical cardioversion) may be needed to restore a normal rhythm.
• Kidney damage. In rare cases, the contrast material can damage the kidneys, possibly causing kidney failure. People with diabetes and kidney disease are at greatest risk for kidney damage.
• Infection and inflammation of the membrane that lines the heart (endocarditis).
• An abnormal collection of fluid in the space between the heart and the sac that surrounds it (cardiac tamponade).
• A buildup of air in the space between the lung and the chest wall (pneumothorax).
• Puncture of the heart or one of its blood vessels. This may require draining of the catheter or immediate open-heart surgery to repair.
• Liver tears, which are more likely in babies and children than in adults.
• Allergic reaction to the contrast material, with hives and itching and, rarely, shortness of breath, fever, and shock. These allergic reactions can usually be controlled with medicines.

Less serious complications include:

• Pain, swelling, and tenderness at the catheter insertion site.
• Irritation of the vein by the catheter (superficial thrombophlebitis). This can usually be treated with warm compresses.
• Bleeding at the catheter site.
• A bruise where the catheter was inserted. This usually goes away in a few days.
• Difficulty urinating after the procedure.

There is always a slight risk of damage to cells or tissues from being exposed to any radiation, including the low levels of X-ray used for this test. However, the risk of damage from the X-rays is usually very low compared with the potential benefits of the test.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: September 13, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.