Cardiac Catheterization to Repair a Heart Defect in Children: What to Expect at Home

Your Child's Recovery

A congenital heart defect is a problem with how a child's heart formed. The doctor repaired your child's heart defect by putting a thin tube, called a catheter, into the heart through a blood vessel. The catheter may have been put into a blood vessel in the groin, neck, or other place on your child's body.

Your child may have a bruise or a small lump where the catheter was put in (the catheter site). The area may feel sore for a few days after the procedure. Your child may need more sleep than usual for a few days.

This procedure can be stressful for you and your child. Your child's recovery will depend on the type of heart defect your child had. Your child may need more than one procedure or surgery to repair the problem. And your child may need to take medicines and see a heart doctor throughout life.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your child to recover. But each child recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to help your child get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for your child at home?

Activity

• Allow your child to slowly become more active. Have your child rest as much as needed. Make sure your child gets enough sleep at night.
• Your child should not ride a bike, play running games or contact sports, or take part in gym class until your doctor says it is okay. This may be for several days. It is okay for your child to walk and play with other children or play with toys.
• Until your doctor says it is okay, your child should not do activities that could cause a blow to the chest, such as wrestling or playing catch with a ball.
• Until the doctor says it is okay, your child should avoid lifting anything that would make your child strain. This may include heavy milk containers, a heavy backpack, or a medium-sized pet.
• Your doctor will tell you when your child can go back to school or day care. Your child will probably have to spend at least 1 day at home.
• For about 1 week, keep your child away from large crowds and people that you know have a cold or the flu. This lowers your child's chance of getting an infection.

Diet

• Your child can eat a normal diet.
• Have your child drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).
• You may notice a change in your child's bowel habits right after the procedure. This is common. If your child has not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, call your doctor.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when your child can restart any medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about your child taking any new medicines.
• Be safe with medicines. Have your child take pain medicine exactly as directed.
  • If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it to your child as prescribed.
  • Store your child's prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• If you think the pain medicine is making your child sick to their stomach:
  • Have your child take the medicine after meals (unless the doctor has told you not to).
  • Ask your child's doctor for a different pain medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, be sure your child takes them as directed. Your child should not stop taking them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
• If your child takes a blood thinner, be sure to get instructions about how to give this medicine safely. Blood thinners can cause serious bleeding problems.
• Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with their medicine.

Care of the catheter site

• For the first day or for as long as your doctor recommends, keep a bandage over the spot where the catheter was put in.
• Most people like to use ice on the sore area after a procedure or surgery. Find out what your doctor recommends.
• Your child can shower 1 to 2 days after the procedure. Avoid soaking the catheter site in water until the area is healed. This includes keeping your child out of bathtubs and swimming pools.
• Watch for bleeding from the site. A small amount of blood on the bandage can be normal.
• If your child is bleeding, have your child lie down and press on the area for 15 minutes to try to make it stop. If the bleeding does not stop, call your child's doctor or seek immediate medical care.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
• Your child has trouble breathing.
• Your child is bleeding a lot from the catheter site.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your child is dizzy or lightheaded.
• Your child has severe pain where the catheter was put in.
• Your child's leg is painful, cold, tingly, or numb or looks pale, bluish, or purplish.
• Your child has swelling and a lump that is getting bigger under the skin at the catheter site.
• Your child is sick to their stomach or cannot keep fluids down.
• Your child has pain that does not go away after you give your child pain medicine.
• Your child has symptoms of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the cut.
  • Pus draining from the cut.
  • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child has any problems.