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Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty

After the Procedure
You will return to the Invasive Cardiac Recovery (ICR). The nurses will be in often to check your blood pressure, heart rate and groin site.

You will be on bed rest for at least four to six hours. It is important to keep the affected leg straight at all times. The sheaths remain in place until your blood clotting time is normal. As the sheaths are removed, the nurse will apply firm pressure at the groin site for at least 10 to 20 minutes.

Recovery
At home, follow these guidelines to assist your recovery.

Fluids
You should drink at least six eight-ounce glasses of water over the next 24 hours unless otherwise instructed. Water helps to clear the dye used during the procedure from your body.

Activity
While the wound is healing, bleeding or swelling can occur as a result of stress or strain to the groin and abdominal muscles. Carefully follow these guidelines:

  • On the day of discharge, limit your activities.
  • No driving for 24 hours.
  • You may shower after 24 hours, but no tub baths for one week.
  • Climb stairs with a slow, steady pace until two days after the cath.

You may resume your usual activities the day after discharge, including normal social activities, except:

  • No heavy lifting of objects greater than 10 pounds for three days.
  • No strenuous physical exercise for one week (i.e., tennis, running, swimming, golfing, weightlifting or bicycling).
  • No sexual activity for one week.

Diabetics

  • If you are taking Metformin, the nurse will give you an order for a blood creatinine test. This blood test should be done at least 48 hours after your cardiac cath.
  • Do not take Metformin until the doctor or cath lab nurse tells you to resume. Most patients may begin Metformin 48 hours after this type of test.
  • Follow your doctor's advice about caring for your diabetes (diet, other medicines and monitoring your blood sugar levels) Contact the doctor who manages your diabetes if there are any changes in your diabetes control.

Wound
After the cath, a small dressing is applied to the wound site. You may remove the dressing the day after the exam. Do not reapply a dressing. Keep site clean and dry. Avoid lotions, ointments, or powders at the wound site for one week.

Wound Healing
The healing wound should be soft and dry. A bruise (black and blue) or a marble size lump may be present. Please contact your doctor or the cardiac cath lab doctor if any of the following signs appear:

  • Redness around the skin wound
  • Drainage from the wound
  • A lump at the puncture site that enlarges or is larger than
  • Marble size
  • Pain at the puncture site that makes walking difficult
  • Numbness or tingling in the thigh or leg
  • Calf tenderness or pain
  • 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.

Warning Signs and Symptoms
Please notify your doctor right away if you have:

  • Chest discomfort or pain (angina) that radiates to the neck, jaw or arm
  • New symptoms or a change in your pattern of angina
  • Nausea or profuse sweating
  • Shortness of breath with exertion
  • An irregular heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness that makes you lie down
  • A fainting spell.

Go to the nearest emergency room if you have

  • Chest discomfort or pain lasting longer than 10 minutes and not relieved by taking one nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue
  • Frequent, recurring episodes of chest discomfort or pain.

Surgery Guide

Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty
Before the treatment
Day of the treatment
After the treatment


Review Date: 12/04