Catheterization: what it is, types and possible risks

Catheterization is a medical procedure in which a plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into the body (into a blood vessel, organ or body cavity), with the aim of facilitating the passage of blood or other fluids.

The procedure is performed according to the patient’s clinical conditions and can be performed on the heart, bladder, navel and stomach. The most frequently performed type of catheterization is cardiac catheterization, which is performed to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Like any other medical procedure, catheterization presents risks, which vary depending on where the catheter is placed. Therefore, it is important that the person is monitored by a nursing team in order to avoid possible complications.

Types of catheterization

The main types of catheterization are:

Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive, fast and accurate medical procedure. In this procedure, the catheter is inserted through an artery in a leg or arm into the heart.

Catheterization is not a major surgical intervention, but it is carried out in the hospital, in a specific examination machine that emits radiation (more than common x-rays) and where intravenous contrast is used. Therefore, cardiac monitoring is necessary throughout the examination, so that the heart is controlled through the electrocardiogram. It is almost always performed with local anesthesia associated or not with sedation.

Depending on the purpose, catheters can be used to measure pressure, look inside blood vessels, widen a heart valve or unclog a blocked artery. It is also possible, through the use of instruments introduced through the catheter, to obtain heart tissue samples for biopsy. Learn more about cardiac catheterization.

Bladder catheterization

Bladder catheterization consists of introducing a catheter through the urethra, which reaches the bladder with the intention of emptying it. This procedure can be carried out in preparation for surgery, post-surgery or to check the amount of urine produced by the person.

This type of catheterization can be performed using relief probes, which are used only to quickly empty the bladder, without the need to keep the catheter implanted, and can also be the indwelling bladder catheterization type, which is characterized by the placement of a catheter attached to a collection bag that remains for a certain time, collecting the person’s urine.

Umbilical catheterization

Umbilical catheterization consists of introducing the catheter through the navel to measure blood pressure, check blood gases and other medical procedures. It is generally performed on premature babies while they are in the neonatal ICU, and is not a routine procedure, as it has risks.

Nasogastric catheterization

Nasogastric catheterization is characterized by the introduction of a plastic tube, the catheter, into the person’s nose and reaching their stomach. This procedure can be done for feeding or removing fluids from the stomach or esophagus. It must be introduced by a qualified professional and the position of the catheter must be confirmed with an x-ray.

Risks of catheterization

Catheterization is not considered a dangerous procedure, however, like any medical procedure, it is accompanied by some risks:

• Allergic reactions, arrhythmia, bleeding and heart attack, in the case of cardiac catheterization;
• Urinary tract infections and trauma to the urethra, in the case of bladder catheterization;
• Bleeding, thrombosis, infections and increased blood pressure, in the case of umbilical catheterization;
• Bleeding, aspiration pneumonia, injuries to the esophagus or stomach, in the case of nasogastric catheterization.

Catheters are normally changed periodically, and the site is always sanitized.