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Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

When to Call the Doctor
Please contact your doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

• Severe angina or chest pain. This may be a sign of a problem with your stent.

• Excessive bruising, blood in urine/stool, or black tarry stools.

Contact the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) doctor at (312) 926-5135 if you have a new rash or itching. This may be a sign that you have an allergy to Plavix® or another medication.

Diabetics

• If you are taking Metformin (Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glucovance®), the nurse will give you an order for a blood creatinine test. This blood test should be done at least 48 hours after your PCI.

• Do not take Metformin until the doctor or Cath Lab nurse tells you to resume. Most patients may begin Metformin 48 hours after PCI.

• Follow your doctor's advice about caring for your diabetes (diet, medication, and monitoring your blood sugar levels). Contact the doctor who manages your diabetes if there are any changes in your diabetes control.

Groin Site Care
After the procedure, a small dressing is applied to the groin site. You may remove the dressing the day after the procedure. Do not reapply a dressing. Keep site clean and dry. Avoid lotions, ointments, or powders at the groin site for one week.

Groin Site Healing
The healing groin site should be soft and dry. A hematoma (black and blue bruise) or a marble size lump may be present. Please contact the Cath Lab doctor if any of the following signs appear:

• Redness around the groin/puncture site

• Drainage from the groin/puncture site

• A lump at the groin/puncture site that enlarges or is larger than marble size

• Pain at the groin/puncture site that makes walking difficult

• Numbness or tingling in the thigh or leg

• Tenderness or pain in the calf

• Swelling of the ankle or foot

• Increased area of the bruising extending into the thigh, over the buttock or into the groin

• Discoloration or coolness of the leg or foot

If your brachial (arm) artery was used for the procedure, notify the Cath Lab doctor if there is arm or hand numbness, coldness, tingling, swelling, or pain.

Contact
Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
(866) 662-8467

Cardiac Catheterization Department
(312) 926-5135

Review Date: 04/07