Radial Cath Instructions  

1. Drink plenty of fluids, 6-8 glasses in the next 24 hours .

2. For the next 24 hours do not bend wrist or lift with that arm. No driving for 24 hours .

3. Keep the puncture site clean/dry and covered with a bandaid for the next 5-7 days, except when washing.  Clean the site with alcohol 2 times  per day and replace the band-aid with a clean one each time.

4. Examine the site at least twice a day to check for changes

5. Resume previous diet and medications unless your doctor makes changes .

6. When to call the doctor:

   • If a new hematoma occurs(worsening pain with swelling or lump at site).

   • If discoloration or bruising at site continues to enlarge after 48hours.

   • If pain or soreness continues after one week.  

   • If circulation to hand decreases (characterized by persistent coldness, numbness, tingling, swelling, or pain in thehand or arm).

   • If the site becomes inflamed (reddened or swollen) with or without drainage coming from the area.

   • If you have a fever above 100 degrees .

7. Bleeding may occur in two ways:

   • Visible bleeding (when you can see oozing of blood coming from the puncture site).

   • Bleeding beneath the skin forming a hematoma. Hematoma is a lump or swelling caused by the accumulation of blood trapped within the tissue under the skin.

8. If bleeding occurs:

   • Apply pressure above and below the site- have someone help.

   • Hold pressure to site for 10-15 minutes until bleeding is stopped. Ifyou are unable to stop the bleedingcontinue to hold pressure directly over the puncture site. Proceed to the closest Emergency Department.

   • Call your doctor and explain what has happened EVEN if the bleeding has stoppped.

   • Ice pack at LEAST 2 x per day for only 20 min each time for next 48 hours.

9. Late reaction at insertion site (this usually occurs in 1-2 weeks from time of procedure). Presents as: Painful swelling at insertion site with dark bluish discoloration, usually less than 1 cm in diameter. This is very self limited benign reaction, but often needs to be seen and addressed by the Cardiologist who did the procedure.

10. Doctor__________________________  Number_____________________