 Cardiac catheterization –frequently referred to as "heart cath"—is an X-ray study of the heart that is done in our cardiovascular labs (CVL) especially designed for this procedure.
The cardiologist who performs the procedure inserts a small, narrow soft plastic tube, called a catheter, into a blood vessel and advances it to a heart chamber or the coronary arteries. An X-ray camera photographs the heart’s anatomy while a clear liquid that blocks X-rays is passed through the catheter into the hearts’ arteries or chambers. In addition to the cardiologist, the team includes specialized cardiac care nurses, and registered cardiovascular and radiology technologists. The Cardiovascular Labs procedure rooms are equipped with specialized equipment: fluoroscopy, digital cameras, computers, a heart monitor and other necessary equipment. The purpose of the procedure is to evaluate the coronary arteries, heart valves and chambers of the heart. One of the results is a recorded image called an angiogram. The angiogram provides a road map of blood supply to the heart muscle. This map allows the physician to detect blockages in the coronary arteries and helps the physician recommend and plan appropriate treatment. As you participate in the decision to have a heart cath you are encouraged to talk to your physician about any of your concerns or questions. Your physician will explain the procedure to you. A heart cath usually takes about thirty minutes to an hour to perform. However, you may be in the CVL one to two hours for preparation, procedure and brief aftercare. You will be taken from the CVL to the observation unit (ICRU), where the nursing staff will continue observation until you are ready for discharge later in the day. Your stay will usually be less than 24 hours. Some circumstances may require a longer stay.
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