Cardiac Catheter - Risks

For cardiac catheter examinations, complications arise in less than one percent of cases. The risk of deadly complications and infarctions in balloon dilatation is about 0.4%. However, it must also be noted that the risk in an untreated coronary constriction is much higher than the risk involved in balloon dilatation.^5,11

Among complications which may occur are cardiac rhythmic disturbances, heart attacks, and embolism, i.e. the formation of blood clots that detach on their own and are carried along by the blood stream to locations such as the brain, where they lead to blood vessel closure. In 0.6% - 1% of cases, an emergency bypass operation must be performed. Furthermore, there may be oversensitivity reactions to the radiogaphic contrast agent or the local anaesthetic. Infections, secondary bleeding, and bruising from puncturing (initial penetration into the artery) are also possible. Further complications include aneurysms and AV-fistulae (connections between the veins and arteries). During the procedure, the blood vessels, skin, lower abdomen, or nerves may be injured. If heart disease or other secondary diseases are present, the risk of complication is correspondingly higher.^3,5

The doctor who is treating you will gladly clarify these and further possible risks in greater detail.

Sources:
^1,5 University of Cologne Clinical Centre
² University of Ulm Clinical Centre
³ University of Aachen Clinical Centre
⁴ Focus online
^6,7,8,9 University of Heidelberg Clinical Centre
¹⁰ University of Freiburg Clinical Centre
¹¹ SLK-Kliniken GmbH (SLK Clinics Ltd.), Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Heidelberg