Cardiac catheterization

Our cardiologists provide the medical expertise and personalized care you deserve at our multiple cardiac catheterization (cath) labs. Whether you need heart imaging or a heart biopsy, you can trust our nationally recognized program with decades of experience in providing heart care and services.

What is cardiac catheterization?

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat heart conditions. Your provider uses a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter to reach your heart. During cardiac catheterization, your provider places the catheter into a blood vessel in your arm, neck or upper thigh. They guide the catheter through the vessel to your heart. Your provider then does tests or treatments through the catheter.

Cardiac catheterization uses and benefits

We use cardiac catheterization to perform procedures that help accurately treat and diagnose heart problems. Your provider may:

• Collect heart blood samples
• Examine heart arteries
• Inject contrast dye to show structures on X-rays
• Measure pressure and blood flow in and around the heart’s chambers
• Measure heart oxygen levels
• Open, narrowed or blocked blood vessels
• Perform a heart muscle biopsy (removal of a tissue sample)

Cardiac catheterization for coronary heart disease

Your provider may use cardiac catheterization to diagnose and treat coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease (CAD). Your provider inserts the catheter and injects a special contrast dye through it. The dye flows through your bloodstream to your heart and makes your heart’s blood vessels visible on imaging.

Then your provider takes X-rays of your heart. The pictures show whether plaque, a waxy substance that can block blood flow, has built up in your arteries.

If needed, your provider can treat areas of plaque buildup through the catheter. They may use techniques such as inflating a small balloon (balloon angioplasty) or placing a small mesh tube (stent) to open the artery.

Where is cardiac catheterization performed?

Cardiac catheterization is performed in our cath lab in the hospital. Our cath labs have the latest technology to support successful and safe catheterizations. You may be awake or slightly sedated. You should feel little or no pain during the procedure.

What to expect after cardiac catheterization

In many cases, you can return home the same day after your cardiac catheterization procedure. You may stay in the hospital longer so we can monitor your health if your provider finds a problem or performs certain treatments.

If you need follow-up care, we offer additional testing, treatment and cardiac rehabilitation services. Our Chest Pain Center specializes in caring for people who may be experiencing a heart attack or who face a high risk of heart attack. The American College of Cardiology has recognized us for expertise in angioplasty and revival (resuscitation).

Cardiac catheterization testing risks and side effects

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive, generally safe procedure. Risks and side effects are possible, however, as with any medical procedure. In rare cases, people have complications such as:

• Allergic reaction to contrast dye
• Blood clots
• Blood vessel damage
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Nausea or confusion
• Bruising, bleeding or infection in the area where the catheter was inserted