Heart Catheterization

Complications of Heart Catheterization

In expert hands, heart catheterization is safe, and patients experience only minor discomfort. Typical side effects include:

• Hematoma or small bruise. Some patients develop a bruise or hematoma at the catheter insertion site (typically the groin, arm or leg). This side effect is more common in patients with high blood pressure, and it usually disappears within a few days or weeks.
• Chest pain. Patients may experience chest pain during heart catheterization, caused by the sensation produced when dye is injected. Usually the pain goes away quickly, but some patients may need a nitroglycerin tablet to relieve pain.
• Allergic reaction or blood pressure reaction. Occasionally, the contrast dye can affect blood pressure or cause an allergic reaction. The medical team monitors the patient constantly, and medications are used to relieve symptoms.

Rare complications of heart catheterizations are:

• Acute blockage of an artery. Rarely, an artery can become blocked at the site of catheter insertion.
• Infection. The catheter insertion site can also develop an infection, a rare complication treated with medications.
• Risk of heart attack and stroke. In a few cases, angiogram has caused a heart attack or stroke. For the vast majority of patients, the risk is very low.