After your Cardiac Catheterization Radial Artery Approach (Wrist) Information for patients and families

Cardiac Investigation Unit (CIU) Heart & Vascular Program

St Michael’s Hospital: Cardiac Investigative Unit (CIU) • You have just had a cardiac catheterization • This is also known as an angiogram • Please read this pamphlet for information about how to care for yourself after you leave the hospital

What can I expect? • It is normal to have a small lump, bruise or tenderness around the puncture site. This will go away in 2 to 4 weeks • If you already have some bruising around the puncture site before leaving the hospital, the bruise may get bigger • The arm with the puncture site should look and feel like it did before your procedure • If you have pain, you can take some overthe-counter pain medication, such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

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How do I care for the puncture site? • You can take off the dressing from your wrist after you shower, the day after your procedure • Keep your puncture site dry. You can either apply a band-aid or leave it open to the air • If your puncture site begins to bleed, sit down, put your arm above your heart, and have someone apply firm pressure with 2 or 3 fingers below the site for 15 minutes or more

Call your doctor if you notice any of the following: • Your wrist or hand becomes painful, cold or swollen • Any pus or fluid draining from the puncture site • Increased swelling or bruising of your arm • Fever • Difficulty breathing • You see the lump at the puncture site move (pulsate) under your skin

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What if I have more chest pain? • If you have chest pains after your cardiac catheterization and you were prescribed nitroglycerin by your doctor, continue to take it as ordered • If you still have chest pains after taking the nitroglycerin, go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911 • Do not drive yourself to the hospital

How much activity can I do? • Return to your normal activity gradually, over 3 to 5 days • Do not bend your wrist for 8 hours • Rest your hand and forearm on a pillow for comfort and to decrease swelling • You can shower 1 day after your procedure - do not get water directly on your puncture site • Avoid strenuous activity, such as jogging or heavy lifting for 7 days. You can lift under 5 kilos or 10 pounds • For 48 hours, avoid activities that use your arm a lot, such as driving, knitting, housework, typing or wringing clothes

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When can I have sex? • You should wait for 24 to 48 hours after your procedure

What about my medications? • Your cardiologist may make changes to your medications • If you have questions about your medications after you leave the hospital, speak to your family doctor or pharmacist

When can I drive and travel? • Do not drive yourself home after your procedure • You should wait 2 days (48 hours) to drive your car • If you drive a commercial vehicle, speak to your doctor about when you can drive • Ask your doctor about travelling by airplane or out of the country

When can I go back to work? • It depends on the kind of work that you do • Ask your doctor when you can go back to work 5

Do I need any follow-up appointment? • See your family doctor one week after your procedure • See your cardiologist 4 to 6 weeks after your procedure • Ask your family doctor and cardiologist if you need any follow up tests or procedures

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If you have urgent concerns once you go home Use the contact information below. This is for urgent concerns only. • If it is Monday to Friday during business hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, contact the angiogram case manager at: 416-864-5489 extension 1 • Or you may contact the cardiologist who performed your procedure. The contact information is included in your package. • After hours, only for emergency concerns, such as chest pains, marked shortness of breath or major bleeding, call 911 or have someone drive you to the closest Emergency Department • For important but non-emergency concerns that cannot wait until regular hours and cannot be answered by your family doctor, contact your own cardiologist.

St. Michael’s cares about your health.  For reliable health information, visit our Patient and Family Learning Centre in the 6th floor Marketeria (Cardinal Carter Wing), or find us online at www.stmichaelshospital.com/learn This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.  Ask your healthcare provider about this information if you have questions.

30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada 416.864.6060 stmichaelshospital.com 72972 Dev. Aug04 2016 V2