What is Cardiac Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure that helps diagnose heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, defective heart valves, or congenital heart defects. It also provides important information about the heart's pumping function. The procedure is a special x-ray test used to look at the arteries and chambers of the heart; it is not surgery.
What happens during the procedure?
You will be awake during the procedure, which typically takes less than one hour. If you have a balloon angioplasty or other procedure, more time will be required.
A local anesthesia is injected and a small tube, or sheath, is inserted into the artery in your arm or leg. You may feel a little pressure.
The procedure begins when the physician inserts a thin, flexible tube (called a catheter) through the sheath into the artery. The catheter is passed toward your heart. As this is done, the doctor and technicians check the TV monitors to follow the catheter’s movement to the heart.
Then a dye is injected through the catheter. This helps the physician to pinpoint where the problem with your coronary arteries might be. When the procedure is complete, the physician will remove the catheter. A nurse or technician will apply pressure for 15-20 minutes.
Your physician will return to explain the results to you. Sometimes cardiac catheterization will show that your heart is just fine. If there is a problem, your physician will discuss all possible treatments.