About Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive with no large chest incision required.Used for both accurate diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions.Often performed as a day procedure or with a very short hospital stay.Typically results in less pain and a faster recovery compared to open surgery.Can treat conditions like atrial septal defects (ASD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and pulmonary valve stenosis.Provides real-time, detailed information about heart pressures, oxygen levels, and anatomy./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of congenital heart defects (e.g., holes in the heart, valve abnormalities).
- Evaluation of heart muscle function or coronary arteries.
- Measuring pressures inside the heart chambers and major blood vessels.
- Closing certain heart defects (ASD, VSD, PDA) using devices.
- Opening narrowed heart valves or blood vessels (valvuloplasty, angioplasty).
- Performing a cardiac biopsy, often after a heart transplant.
- Pre-surgical planning for complex heart operations.
How to prepare
- Detailed discussion with the pediatric cardiologist about the procedure, benefits, and risks.
- Fasting for several hours before the procedure (timing specified by the hospital).
- A thorough pre-procedure check-up, which may include blood tests, ECG, and echocardiogram.
- Review of the child's current medications; some (like blood thinners) may need to be paused.
- Informing the medical team of any allergies, especially to iodine, contrast dye, or medications.
- Psychological preparation for the child and family, often involving child life specialists.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, bruising, or infection at the catheter insertion site.
- Allergic reaction to the contrast dye used during imaging.
- Injury to the blood vessel or heart structures.
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) during or after the procedure.
- Blood clot formation.
- Rarely, stroke, heart attack, or need for emergency surgery.
- Radiation exposure from X-ray imaging, which is minimized as much as possible.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in a monitored unit where vital signs are closely watched.
- Pressure is applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding; lying flat for a few hours is often required.
- Pain at the insertion site is common and managed with medication.
- Encouragement to drink fluids to help flush the contrast dye from the body.
- Discharge instructions include keeping the insertion site clean and dry, and avoiding strenuous activity for several days.
- Follow-up appointment with the pediatric cardiologist to discuss results and next steps.
- Parents are advised to watch for signs of fever, increased pain, swelling, or bleeding at the site.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-7 days for normal activity, 2-3 weeks for full recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering pediatric cardiac catheterization in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric cardiology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform pediatric cardiac catheterization. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pediatric cardiac catheterization compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 80 Thousand – 350 Thousand | 1-2 days | ~ 3-7 days for normal activity, 2-3 weeks for full recovery | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 280 Thousand – 1.23 Million | 1-2 days | ~ 3-7 days for normal activity, 2-3 weeks for full recovery | Know More |
Pari Singh is a bright-eyed 4-year-old...
Pari Singh is a bright-eyed 4-year-old girl from a close-knit family. She was born with a small ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole between the lower chambers of her heart, which was being monitored. Recently, her parents noticed she tired easily during play, had a few episodes of rapid breathing, and her pediatrician heard a new, concerning heart murmur. Her pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Evans, recommended a cardiac catheterization to get precise measurements of the pressure in her heart chambers and the size of the VSD to determine if it could be closed with a device during the same procedure. On the day of the cath, Pari was anxious but comforted by her favorite stuffed elephant. The team used gentle sedation. During the procedure, Dr. Evans confirmed the VSD was the perfect size and location for device closure and successfully implanted it. Pari spent one night in the hospital for observation. Her recovery was swift; within a week, she was back to chasing her older brother, with more energy than ever. Her parents' journey was one of profound worry, fearing open-heart surgery, which transformed into immense relief and gratitude for the minimally invasive solution. Seeing their daughter's pink cheeks and boundless energy post-procedure washed away years of underlying anxiety.
Pediatric Cardiologists for Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization
Explore experienced pediatric cardiologists who regularly perform pediatric cardiac catheterization and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 20 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
- 18 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 1 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata