You will be taken to a bed in the coronary care unit or the intensive care
unit, where you will be carefully watched overnight. Nurses will monitor your
heart for at least 24 hours. They will also check your blood pressure and groin
sites often for several hours.
While recovering from the procedure, don't bend your legs where the catheters
were inserted and don't sit upright in bed or try to get out of bed. If you
need to move, the nurse will help you. Being careful with your movements will
help prevent bleeding from the catheter sites.
The next morning the IV drips (lines into the vein) may be stopped. After the
lab checks show well your blood is clotting, the catheter may be removed. After
the catheter is removed, the nurse will put firm pressure on the site for about
20 minutes. A small sandbag will be placed over the puncture site for about
6 hours to help the artery heal.
After the nurse removes the sandbag, he or she will help you walk around the
room. Sometime after this, you will be transferred from the coronary care unit
or intensive care unit to a regular room. You will be encouraged to walk around
the room to prepare for discharge. The entire stay in the hospital may last
1 to 3 days, based on your condition.
Once at home contact the hospital immediately if:
- You develop a fever.
- You become short of breath.
- You have a lot of pain.
Ask your doctor what other guidelines you should follow and when you could
come back for a checkup.
