In-Hospital Cardiac Procedures in Columbus, GA

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure that provides our cardiologist an up-close view of the patient’s heart and its components, leading to a deeper understanding of the heart’s condition and possible complications. A catheter is inserted into an artery at either the groin, neck, or arm and threaded through to the heart.

Patients may require left heart catheterization with radial or femoral access and may also undergo shockwave lithoplasty, Impella support, rotational atherectomy (rotablator), and/or laser atherectomy. Some patients may require right heart catheterization or right heart catheterization with exercise.

Left Heart Catheterization

A left heart catheterization is a procedure that allows the doctor to gain an up-close look at the left side of the heart, observing blood flow and measuring pressure in the left chambers. Left heart catheterization is often used to diagnose coronary artery disease, valvular disease, and heart failure.

Where is this procedure performed?

In the Cath Lab at the hospital.

What does this procedure entail?

The patient will be awake but sedated. The patient will be connected to an IV line to administer any necessary medications and monitors to evaluate heart rate and rhythm during the procedure. The patient will receive a numbing injection before the cardiologist makes a small incision and inserts the catheter. At times during the procedure, the patient may be asked to take deep breaths or cough.

What happens after the procedure?

The patient will be taken to a recovery room while the anesthesia wears off. This could last for 2-6 hours. Depending on the insertion site, the patient may have to lie flat during recovery.

Every cardiac catheterization patient will require a driver following the procedure. In most cases, this is an outpatient procedure, but patients should be prepared for the possibility of an overnight stay.

Right Heart Catheterization and Right Heart Catheterization With Exercise

A right heart catheterization is a procedure that allows the doctor to gain an up-close look at the right side of the heart, observing blood flow and measuring pressure in the heart and the lungs. A right heart catheterization with exercise requires the patient to exert themselves to observe the pressure and blood flow beyond resting conditions. Southeastern Cardiology is the only group in the Southeast that offers right heart catheterization with exercise evaluations on a regular basis.

What does right heart catheterization entail?

Following a typical catheter procedure, the cardiologist will guide a catheter to the pulmonary artery, the main artery that carries blood to the lungs, to evaluate the health of the heart/lung connection.

What does right heart catheterization with exercise entail?

Sometimes, patients with cardiopulmonary disease do not exhibit signs or symptoms at rest but do have symptoms when exerting themselves. So, we arrange for these patients to perform physical activity while the catheter is inserted. The patient may be asked to pedal on a stationary bicycle stationed at the end of the bed or perform arm exercises while on the bed.

What happens after the procedure?

In most cases, a right heart catheterization is an outpatient procedure. Following a monitored recovery period, the patient will be released.

Every catheterization patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

Catheter Registration Instructions

Catheterization Instructions

Cardioversion is a procedure to restore a normal heart rhythm in patients with certain types of abnormal heartbeats.

What does this procedure entail?

The patient will be fully sedated via an IV. Our cardiologist places electrodes connected by wire to a cardioversion machine, or defibrillator, on the patient’s chest and back. While the machine records the heart rhythm, it delivers shocks to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. The procedure only lasts a few minutes.

What happens after the procedure?

Following cardioversion, the patient is taken to a recovery room for a short period before being released to go home.

Every cardioversion patient will require a driver following the procedure.

Cardioversion Instructions

Coronary revascularization is a procedure that opens up clogged coronary arteries, the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It is performed via percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and involves inserting a tiny balloon at the site of the clog in the artery. Coronary revascularization is often performed in combination with stent placement, which involves placing a small wire mesh tube in the artery to prop it open and decrease the possibility of it narrowing again.

What does this procedure entail?

In most cases, the patient is awake but sedated, and an IV is placed to provide any medication that the patient may need. Monitors are also placed to evaluate the heart’s rate and rhythm. The patient will receive a numbing injection before the cardiologist makes a small incision and inserts the catheter. During the procedure, small amounts of dye are injected to give the cardiologist a better look at the blockage via the angiogram, or heart X-ray. Once the site is reached, the doctor will inflate the small balloon to widen the artery. If the patient is also receiving a stent, the physician will also perform stent placement at the same time.

What happens after the procedure?

Following coronary revascularization, the patient will recover overnight in the hospital, where staff can monitor the patient and make medication adjustments as needed.

Every revascularization patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

An implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) is a tiny device that helps doctors track your heartbeat over time. Effective for people with dizziness, fainting, or irregular heartbeats, this device provides doctors with the information they need for improved care.

Your doctor places the ICM under the skin of your chest in a quick procedure. Once implanted, it consistently tracks your heart’s rhythm and records any unusual beats, sending the information to your doctor. You can also press a button if you feel symptoms. The ICM can stay in place for months or years without a battery change. Since it’s inside, there are no wires or patches, and your doctor can use the results to help keep your heart healthy!

Where is this procedure performed?

Loop recorder implantation and removal are typically performed in the hospital’s Cath Lab.

What does this procedure entail?

Your cardiologist will implant the device in the wall of your chest. It is a minor procedure that is performed under local anesthesia.

How should I prepare for this procedure?

If you are visiting the Southeastern Cardiology office for your procedure, please review our in-office instructions.

If you are visiting the hospital for your procedure, please review our in-hospital instructions.

Loop Recorder Insertion Instructions (In Office)

Loop Recorder Insertion Instructions (In Hospital)

Loop Recorder Post-Procedure Instructions

A pacemaker helps control the heart’s rhythm and the way the chambers of the heart electrically stimulate and communicate with one another. Pacemakers work to regulate hearts that beat at an irregular pace or rhythm.

Single and Dual Lead Pacemakers

Single and dual lead pacemakers utilize wires that connect to the heart.

Where is this procedure performed?

A pacemaker implantation or generator change procedure is performed at the hospital.

What does this procedure entail?

The procedure takes between 1-3 hours. Your doctor will provide sedation and numb the area before creating a small incision in the chest. Your doctor will then thread the pacemaker wires through a vein to reach the heart. The wires are then attached to the pacemaker, which is implanted under the skin. When set, your doctor will stitch the incision closed.

What happens after the procedure?

Following lead pacemaker implantation, the patient may recover for a few hours but should prepare for an overnight stay in the hospital.

Every pacemaker patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

Leadless Pacemakers

Leadless pacemakers do not utilize wires. Instead, they are implanted via a catheter that is inserted into a vein through the groin.

Where is this procedure performed?

Leadless pacemaker implantation is performed at the hospital.

What does this procedure entail?

Your doctor will provide local anesthesia to the insertion site in the groin at the femoral vein. Your doctor will then thread the catheter through the vein and use an X-ray machine to guide the catheter to the heart. Once the implantation site is reached, your doctor will attach the device to the heart muscle. They will then remove the catheter and close the incision site.

What happens after the procedure?

Following leadless pacemaker implantation, the patient may recover for a few hours but should prepare for an overnight stay in the hospital.

Every pacemaker patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

Pacemaker Generator Change Follow-Up Instructions

Pacemaker Implant Post-Procedure Instructions

Peripheral revascularization is a procedure to open clogged arteries outside of the heart, whether in the arms, legs, kidneys, neck, or anywhere else in the body. It involves placing a small balloon at the site of the clog to widen the artery and allow for better blood flow. Peripheral revascularization is usually combined with stent placement, which involves placing a small wire mesh tube in the artery to prop it open and decrease the possibility of it narrowing again.

What does this procedure entail?

In most cases, the patient is awake but sedated, and an IV is placed to provide any medication that the patient may need. Monitors are also placed to evaluate the heart’s rate and rhythm. The patient will receive a numbing injection before the cardiologist makes a small incision and inserts the catheter. During the procedure, small amounts of dye are injected to give the cardiologist a better look at the blockage via the angiogram, or heart X-ray. Once the site is reached, the doctor will inflate the small balloon to widen the artery. If the patient is also receiving a stent, the physician will also perform stent placement at the same time.

What happens after the procedure?

Following peripheral revascularization, the patient will recover overnight in the hospital, where staff can monitor the patient and make medication adjustments as needed.

Every revascularization patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

Peripheral vascular angiography is an X-ray test that requires the presence of contrast dye for optimal imaging. Because the dye is injected into the arteries through a catheter, this imaging is minimally invasive and requires a small puncture for catheter insertion.

Peripheral vascular angiography is used to diagnose peripheral artery disease and identify which arteries and blood vessels are narrowed or blocked.

What does this procedure entail?

The patient is connected to an IV to receive proper amounts of fluid and medication throughout the test. A local anesthetic will be applied at the puncture site before the doctor inserts the catheter and feeds it into the artery. Once in place, the doctor will inject contrast dye for better X-ray imaging. Once the test is completed, your doctor will remove the catheter and bandage the puncture site.

What happens after the procedure?

The patient will be taken to a recovery room for a period of time before receiving at-home recovery instructions and being released to go home.

Every peripheral vascular angiography patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

A tilt table test is a noninvasive procedure that examines your heart’s function and performance from various physical angles. Tilt table tests are often performed to diagnose circulatory problems that arise from changes in position. An example would be postural syncope where patients experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up.

What does this test entail?

The cardiologist will securely strap the patient to a table. The table will then tilt, rotate, or move into varying positions to evaluate the patient’s heart rhythm, heart rate, and other vital signs.

What happens after the test?

The tilt table test only lasts 30-45 minutes. Following testing, the patient is free to leave.

Tilt Table Instructions

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a dysfunctional aortic valve with an artificial valve without requiring open heart surgery. This is a viable procedure for patients with severe aortic stenosis, those with a failing aortic valve, or those with conditions that make open heart surgery too risky to perform.

What does this procedure entail?

Patients will receive an IV for sedation so that the surgical team can adjust any medications throughout the procedure. Making a small incision at the groin, the cardiologist will insert a catheter into the artery to access the aorta, remove the damaged section, and install the replacement. The doctor relies on X-rays and other imaging tools to complete the procedure.

What happens after the procedure?

TAVR patients are usually expected to spend a night in the hospital for proper monitoring. They are typically released the following day.

Every TAVR patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

TAVR Pre-Procedure Instructions

TAVR Post-Procedure Instructions

A transesophageal echocardiogram is a unique ultrasound exam in which, instead of your doctor placing the transducer on the skin to obtain internal imaging, the transducer, attached to a thin tube, is fed through the mouth and down to the esophagus, where it can then capture clearer imaging of the heart, heart valves, and chambers.

What does this procedure entail?

The patient will receive mild sedation via an IV and will receive throat-numbing medicine for a smoother process. The patient will also be connected to electrodes that monitor heart rate and rhythm during the procedure. The cardiologist will guide the transducer down to the esophagus. Once in place, the transducer will send sound waves to the heart and will collect the echoes that bounce back, transforming them into images on a screen. Once the images are captured, the cardiologist will remove the transducer and the IV will be removed.

What happens after the procedure?

The patient will need to recover for a while to let the anesthesia wear off.

Every transesophageal echo patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.

TEE Instructions

The Watchman™ is a permanent device implanted in the heart to prevent the formation of blood clots in the left atrial appendage (LAA), a small pocket on the left upper chamber of the heart. It is implanted in AFib patients whose condition is not caused by a failing heart valve. AFib patients are more prone to blood clot development in this area, which can lead to an increased risk of stroke. For more than 90% of AFib patients without heart valve issues, blood clots form in the LAA. Watchman™ implantation in this appendage significantly reduces the risk of life-threatening clots escaping into the arteries and traveling to the brain. It can also allow patients to minimize blood-thinning medication or stop taking blood thinners altogether.

What does the procedure entail?

The patient is connected to an IV for sedation. The cardiologist will create a small incision at the groin or chest and insert a catheter into the artery to thread through to the heart. The doctor will then make a small opening in the wall of the heart between the upper chambers and will then install the Watchman™ device in the left atrial appendage. Once placed, the cardiologist will remove the catheter and stitch up the incision.

What happens after the procedure?

Watchman™ patients are usually expected to spend a night in the hospital for proper monitoring. They are typically released the following day.

Every Watchman™ patient will require a driver after being released from the hospital.