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Cardiac catheterization

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 22, 2023.

Overview

Cardiac catheterization (kath-uh-tur-ih-ZAY-shun) is a test or treatment for certain heart or blood vessel problems, such as clogged arteries or irregular heartbeats. It uses a thin, hollow tube called a catheter. The tube is guided through a blood vessel to the heart. Cardiac catheterization gives important details about the heart muscle, heart valves and blood vessels in the heart.

During the procedure, a doctor can test the pressures in the heart or do treatments such opening a narrowed artery. Sometimes a piece of heart tissue is removed for examination.

Usually, you are awake during cardiac catheterization but given medicines to help you relax. The risk of major complications is generally low.

Why it's done

Cardiac catheterization is a common method to diagnose or treat a variety of heart problems. For example, your doctor may suggest cardiac catheterization if you have:

You might need cardiac catheterization if you have, or your doctor thinks you have:

During cardiac catheterization, a doctor can:

Cardiac catherization may be done at the same time as other heart procedures or heart surgery.

Risks

Major complications of cardiac catheterization are rare.

But possible risks of cardiac catheterization may include:

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your health care team before having cardiac catheterization.

How you prepare

Your health care team tells you how to plan for your specific procedure. Some things you might have to do before cardiac catheterization are:

What you can expect

Before the procedure

Cardiac catheterization is usually done in a hospital room with special X-ray and imaging machines. The room is often called a cath lab, which is short for cardiac catheterization lab.

Before you go into the room, your health care team helps you get ready.

You may be asked to use the toilet to empty your bladder.

You change into a hospital gown. Remove all jewelry and dentures.

Your health care team checks your blood pressure and pulse. Sticky patches go on your chest and sometimes your arms or legs. Wires connect the patches to a computer. The computer constantly checks your heartbeat.

A member of your health care team may shave any hair from the area where the catheter will go.

During the procedure

A health care professional places an IV into your forearm or hand. Medicine called a sedative goes through the IV. The medicine helps you feel relaxed, calm or sleepy.

The amount of sedation needed for cardiac catheterization depends on the reason for the procedure and your overall health. You may be fully awake or lightly sedated. Or you may be given a combination of medicines to put you in a sleep-like state. This is called general anesthesia.

To do cardiac catheterization, a doctor inserts one or more flexible, hollow tubes called catheters into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist. The doctor guides the tube or tubes to the heart.

What happens next depends on why you're having the procedure. These are some common reasons:

If you're awake during cardiac catheterization, your doctor may ask you to:

The table may be tilted at times. But a safety strap keeps you on the table. Tell your health care team if you have any discomfort.

When the test or treatment is done, the catheter is removed. A health care professional puts pressure on the area to stop any bleeding. If the catheter was placed into a blood vessel in the groin area, you may need to lie flat for several hours. This helps prevent serious bleeding and lets the artery heal.

After the procedure

You usually spend a few hours in a recovery room after cardiac catheterization. How long you need to stay in the hospital depends on your health and why you had the procedure.

The skin where the catheter was placed may feel sore for a few days. Tell your health care team if you have:

Results

After cardiac catheterization, a member of your health care team talks to you and explains any results.

If a blocked artery is found during cardiac catheterization, the doctor may treat the blockage right away. Sometimes a stent is placed to keep the artery open. Ask your doctor whether this is a possibility before your cardiac catheterization begins.

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