What is cardiac catheterization?

Cardiac catheterization (also called a cardiac cath or coronary angiogram) is an invasive imaging procedure that allows your doctor to evaluate your heart function. Cardiac catheterization is used to:

• Evaluate or confirm the presence of coronary artery disease, valve disease, or disease of the aorta
• Evaluate heart muscle function
• Determine the need for further treatment (such as an interventional procedure or coronary artery bypass graft/ CABG) which would be performed at another facility as CalvertHealth has a diagnostic Cardiac Cath Lab

During a cardiac catheterization, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted through a plastic introducer sheath (a short, hollow tube) that is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin or wrist. Your doctor may choose to perform your cardiac catheterization through the vessel in your wrist (called a Transradial approach). This alternate approach has a lower risk of bleeding and is generally more comfortable for the patient. The catheter is then guided through the blood vessel to the coronary arteries with the aid of a special x-ray machine.

Contrast material is injected through the catheter and x-ray images show the contrast material moving through the heart’s chambers, valves, and major vessels. This part of the procedure is called a coronary angiogram. This will show your Cardiologist any narrowing or blockage in the coronary arteries, called coronary artery disease.

Will I be awake during the procedure?

Yes. However, you will have an IV line and medications will be administered through this line to reduce anxiety and pain. Additionally, your Cardiologist will use a local anesthetic to numb the catheter insertion site.

Where is the catheterization performed and who performs it?

Our catheterizations are performed by a specialized cardiac catheterization team in our state-of-the-art laboratory with your Cardiologist. This specially designed room houses sophisticated monitoring equipment that provides your Cardiologist with essential information.