Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter (long, thin, flexible tube) is inserted into a vein or artery and directed toward the heart. Special x-ray equipment is used to watch the movement of the catheter inside the body. Cardiac catheterization allows doctors to assess the pumping action of the heart and to examine the coronary arteries (the vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart) and heart valves. Cardiac catheterization may also be called coronary angiography, angiogram, or cardiac cath.

Cardiac catheterization helps physicians diagnose a number of heart conditions. Some of these include:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Defective heart valves
• Congenital heart defects

Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization may not eat or drink anything for six to eight hours prior to the procedure, and must arrange for someone to drive them home. Prior to the cath, the area where the catheter will be inserted is shaved, anesthetized and sterilized. Usually, this is the groin. However, it can also be the arm or wrist. In some patients, more than one site is prepared. Shaving and cleansing eases the insertion of catheters and helps to avoid infection. A small intravenous needle (IV line) is inserted into a vein in the arm to allow medications to be given directly into the vein, if needed. A sedative is generally given to help patients relax, although patients remain awake during the procedure. During the procedure, patients may be asked to hold their breath or cough. Although patients may feel some discomfort when the catheter is inserted, they do not feel the catheters moving through the blood vessels and into the heart. They may feel a warm "flash" during contrast (dye) injections lasting for 10 or 20 seconds. After the procedure, most patients will need to lie flat in bed for four to six hours to allow a small seal to form over the puncture site. Patients having transradial catheterization done do not need to lie still, but are restricted from lifting with the affected arm.

Although cardiac catheterization is an "invasive" procedure that requires insertion of a catheter into the body, the risks are minimal, and the procedure is considered relatively safe. In fact, patients who have their cardiac catheterizations done at the SIHI Outpatient Facility are allowed to go home the same day.

 For More Information Contact:
Southern Illinois Heart Institute
211 South Third Street, Belleville, Il 62220
Tel: 1-800-676-SIHI (7444)
Internet: info@sihi.org