Know the risks of catheterization

Catheterization is a medical procedure in which a plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into a blood vessel, organ or body cavity in order to facilitate the passage of blood or other fluids.

The procedure is performed according to the patient's clinical conditions, and can be done on the heart, bladder, navel and stomach. The type of catheterization most frequently performed is cardiac catheterization, which is performed to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Like any other medical procedure, catheterization presents risks, which vary according to the location of the tupus placement. Therefore, it is important that the person is accompanied by a nursing team in order to avoid any complications.

Types of catheterization

Catheterization is performed according to the patient's needs, the main ones being:

Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive, fast and accurate medical procedure. In this procedure, the catheter is inserted through an artery, leg or arm to the heart.

Catheterization is not a major surgical intervention, but it is done in the hospital, using a specific examination machine that emits radiation (more than ordinary radiographs) and where venous contrast is used. Therefore, cardiac monitoring is necessary during the entire exam, so that the heart is controlled through the electrocardiogram. It is almost always performed with local anesthesia associated or not with sedation.

Depending on the purpose, catheters can be used to measure pressure, observe the inside of blood vessels, widen a heart valve or unblock a blocked artery. It is also possible, through the use of instruments introduced through the catheter, to obtain heart tissue samples for biopsy. Learn more about cardiac catheterization.

Bladder catheterization

Bladder catheterization consists of the introduction of a catheter through the urethra, which reaches the bladder with the intention of emptying it. This procedure can be performed in the preparation of surgeries, after surgery or to check the amount of urine produced by the person.

This type of catheterization can be performed by means of relief probes, which are used only for rapid emptying of the bladder, without the need to keep the catheter implanted, and can also be of the type bladder catheter, which is characterized by the placement of a catheter. catheter attached to a collection bag that remains for a certain time, collecting the person's urine.

Umbilical catheterization

Umbilical catheterization consists of introducing the catheter through the navel to measure blood pressure, check blood gas and other medical procedures. It is usually performed on premature babies during the time they are in the neonatal ICU, and it is not a routine procedure, as it has risks.

Nasogastric catheterization

Nasogastric catheterization is characterized by the introduction of a plastic tube, the catheter, in the person's nose and reaching the stomach. This procedure can be done to feed or remove fluids from the stomach or esophagus. It must be introduced by a qualified professional and the position of the catheter must be confirmed with a radiograph.

Risks of catheterization

The person who underwent catheterization must be accompanied by the nursing team in order to avoid hospital infections and complications, which vary according to the type of catheterization performed:

• Allergic reactions, arrhythmia, bleeding and heart attack, in the case of cardiac catheterization; Urinary tract infections and trauma of the urethra, in the case of bladder catheterization; Hemorrhage, thrombosis, infections and increased blood pressure, in the case of umbilical catheterization; Hemorrhage, aspiration pneumonia, injuries to the esophagus or stomach, in the case of nasogastric catheterization.

The catheters are usually changed periodically, and the site is always cleaned.