Cardiac catheterisation is a surgical procedure used to help diagnose heart conditions, help plan future treatments and carry out certain procedures. Some cardiac conditions can be corrected or repaired by cardiac catheterisation (this is called an interventional catheter). Read more about cardiac catheterisation .

When cardiac catheterisation is recommended, there are a number of tasks which need to be completed to make sure a child is ready for their procedure. Depending on how urgently your child needs to have their procedure, these tasks may need to be arranged in a short period of time (days) or over a longer period (months).

This step-by-step guide tells you what to expect in the lead up to, and on the day of your child’s  procedure at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, so you can plan and be prepared.

Your child’s health

It’s important that your child is healthy and feeling well for their catheterisation as it is not safe for them to have anaesthesia or the procedure if they are sick.

If your child becomes unwell with cold or flu symptoms, an infection, fever or a rash in the month before their procedure, please contact the catheter coordinator on 07 3068 1765 or the cardiac bookings office on 07 3068 4306.

Booking the procedure date

The decision on when your child will have their cardiac catheterisation will depend on a few different considerations including:

• how urgently they need a cardiac catheter, and
• the type of catheter they need.

A catheter coordinator from the Queensland Children’s Hospital will call you in the month before the booked date of your child’s procedure to start planning for their hospital admission. The catheter coordinator will ask you about your child’s condition including any specific needs or medical requirements they might have. Your child’s care team will then complete a care plan to help ensure a smooth admission, procedure, and recovery.

If you live outside of Southeast Queensland, we will try to book all your child’s appointments and procedure date close together where possible, so you only need to make one trip to Brisbane.

Note: Although we always aim to perform a procedure on the booked date, sometimes emergency surgery cases and other unforeseen circumstances (such as staff illness) mean that it may have to be delayed or rescheduled. Patients are always treated according to how urgently they need to have their catheter procedure. We have to prioritise the most urgent cases every day, but please be assured will only reschedule a procedure when it is safe to do so.

Travel and accommodation

Families who live more than 50km from the Queensland Children’s Hospital are eligible for travel and accommodation assistance under the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).

When you have been notified of your dates for appointments/procedure you can start arranging your travel and accommodation through the travel department of your local hospital. Your local travel department may require a letter from the Queensland Children’s Hospital – your child’s cardiac care coordinator can you help with this.

Oral health clearance

Children with congenital heart disease are more prone to dental disease (such as tooth decay and gum disease), which puts them at risk of bacteria in the mouth entering the bloodstream, travelling to the heart and causing an infection. Read more about congenital heart disease and dental health.

For this reason, your child may need an oral health clearance letter from a dentist stating your child’s mouth is free from infection, deep cavities and rotten teeth before their procedure can safely go ahead.

If your child has been to the dentist in the past 6 months, your dentist can provide a letter stating that your child is orally fit for their procedure, rather than having to go in for another check-up. We will provide you with instructions for your dentist on how to complete your child’s oral health clearance letter.

Coming to the Queensland Children’s Hospital

To learn more about the Queensland Children’s Hospital:

• Visit our website – Going to hospital
• watch our My Trip To Hospital videos.

Preadmission clinic

A preadmission clinic will be booked in the two weeks before your child’s procedure. During the appointment, a cardiac catheter coordinator will explain the procedure and admission process to you, and you (and your child) will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have.

The appointment takes 2-3 hours and allows the cardiac team to assess your child’s health status in preparation for their procedure and anaesthetic. Your child’s height and weight will be measured, and a variety of tests may be performed including blood tests, blood pressure, oxygen saturations, X-ray, echocardiogram, and electrocardiogram (ECG).

You may be asked to provide an oral health clearance letter from your child’s dentist at this appointment (see ‘Oral health clearance’ above).

The preadmission clinic may also cover the following topics to ensure your child is prepared for their surgery:

• Fasting (not eating or drinking) before the procedure
• hygiene and bathing before admission
• orientation to the hospital and its facilities

Read more about Cardiac catheterisation preadmission.

Getting ready for hospital

What to pack

Babies

• Clothes that zip or button up at the front (this makes it easy to access the wound and dressing after the procedure).
• ‘Onsie’ suits/ropers that have fold back feet (makes it easy for monitoring equipment to be easily placed on feet and checking wound sites in the groin).
• Socks to keep your baby warm.
• If your baby takes a bottle and is fussy with the teat, we recommend you bring in your own bottles and teats.
• Comforters may be bought in but must be washed beforehand.

Note: Nappies or wipes will be provided in the hospital.

Older children

• Short-sleeved, button-up pyjamas or shirts (easier for negotiating IV drips, monitoring equipment and wound site checks).
• Comfortable, loose clothing.
• Dressing gown or loose fitting long-sleeved top as it can be cool on the ward.
• Underwear,  including socks.
• Toiletries – toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo, soap, hair brush.
• Slippers/slip-on shoes.
• Comfort toys, pillows, blankets may be brought in but must be washed beforehand.
• Entertainment activities – books, games etc.

We recommend parents bring something warm to wear on the ward as some people find the air-conditioning can get cold.

Remember to bring

• Your child’s catheter appointment letter
• Your Medicare card

What to expect on the day

Arrival at the hospital

• When you arrive at the hospital, go to the reception desk for the surgical admissions lounge (4b) on Level 4 and check in with the admissions staff.
• You will then be asked to complete the admission forms  (if they weren’t already completed at the preadmission appointment.

Before the procedure

• After your child’s admission paperwork is done, they will have a series of health checks and pre-procedure assessments, including their heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. You will be asked a series of questions about your child’s habits, behaviour and lifestyle, as well as specific questions about their current health status and medical history.
• The admissions staff will help make sure you are in the right place for each assessment. You are welcome to stay by your child’s side while their health checks are being carried out.
• The anaesthetist will meet with you to explain the process, their role in the procedure, answer any questions you have and give you a consent form to read and sign. The anaesthetist may also prescribe some medication for your child to take before their operation. Read more about anaesthesia.
• There will be a wait before your child goes into catheter lab (theatre) for their procedure. When it is almost time for the procedure, you and your child may be asked to move to another waiting area for any final preparations.
• One parent or carer is allowed to go with your child as they are taken into theatre. If you would like to do this we will provide you with a gown to wear.

While your child’s procedure is under way, you can wait in one of the hospital’s parent lounges or anywhere else you feel comfortable. A cardiac catheterisation takes 1-2 hours so you may prefer to leave the hospital for a while. If you do leave the hospital, please leave a contact phone number so we can contact you if needed. Your child’s doctor will speak with you after the procedure – please make sure your mobile phone is on, so you don’t miss their call.

After the procedure

• After the procedure, your child will be transferred to the post anaesthesia care unit (PACU) or ‘recovery’ where they will be monitored until they wake up.
• One your child is fully awake, they will be transferred to the cardiac inpatient ward (Ward 10b) or the surgical day unit (4c), where they will need to rest in bed, lying flat, for 4-6 hours after the procedure. This is to prevent major bruising, swelling and/or bleeding from the site where the catheter was inserted.
• Your child will have an intravenous (IV) access line, usually in their arm, for their medication to be given.  This will be removed before they go home.
• Nursing staff will check the catheter wound site regularly for the first few hours to make sure everything is OK and record their observations.

Going home

• Your child will be discharged once a cardiac doctor assesses them and is satisfied they are well enough to go home. This will usually be either the same day or the day after their procedure.
• Your child may need some tests, such as chest X-rays or an echocardiogram, before going home.
• A pharmacist will also prepare a medication plan for your child.
• Your child’s cardiac care team will work with you on a discharge plan to ensure you feel comfortable caring for your child at home, and have the support, information and resources you need.
• Read more about caring for your child at home after cardiac catheterisation .

Follow-up care

The catheter coordinator will call you within a week of your child’s discharge to check:

• how you went with removing the dressing
• how the wound is healing
• whether you have noticed any side effects from the medication
• your child’s general wellness and activity levels.

A cardiology follow-up review appointment will also be scheduled for your child. The catheter coordinator will call you to confirm the time and date of this appointment.

Contact us

Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service
Queensland Children’s Hospital

For general enquiries
Surgical cardiac care coordinators
Phone: 07 3068 2597

For appointments
Cardiothoracic surgical administration officers
Phone: 07 3068 5775

For surgery date confirmations
Cardiac booking officer
Phone: 07 3068 4306

Developed by Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.

Resource ID: FS260. Reviewed January 2024.

Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.