Cardiac Catheterization & Intervention

Cardiac catheterization, also called a heart cath or angiogram, is a type of interventional cardiology. Through a minimally invasive procedure, your provider performs diagnostic tests to see if you have blocked arteries in your heart.

What is a Heart Cath Procedure ?

During a heart cath, your doctor inserts a catheter (thin tube) into a large blood vessel. They then thread the catheter to the heart. Using a special dye, your provider takes detailed X-rays that show the vessels, valves, and other parts of your heart.

The images of your heart can reveal any blockages or issues affecting blood flow or heart function. If the X-rays show a significant blockage in an artery, your provider may do a procedure right away to open the blockage — for example, a balloon angioplasty or a stent. They also may refer you for heart surgery or cardiac rehabilitation.

What to Expect with Your Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

It helps to know what to expect before, during, and after your heart test. Of course, if you have questions at any time, feel free to ask your provider.

Before Your Procedure

Before your cardiac catheterization procedure, you’ll get specific instructions for how to prepare. In general, you should follow these guidelines:

Don’t eat anything after midnight the night before your test. Clear liquids are OK up until two hours before you arrive at the hospital.
Tell your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. You may need to stop taking them before your test.
Bring a list of your allergies and any medicines you are taking.
If you have diabetes, ask how you should take your insulin or diabetes medicines.
Leave any jewelry at home.
Plan for another person to drive you home after the procedure.

During Your Procedure

Cardiac catheterization takes place in our recently renovated Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab). This specialized room has the most updated, state-of-the-art equipment, including an X-ray and monitor to view images of your heart.

The procedure happens while you’re awake, though you receive a sedative from an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to help you relax. Some heart procedures, such as valve repair, use general anesthesia.

Your doctor uses a small needle to numb an area on your upper leg, groin, or wrist. Then, they insert the catheter through the arteries, so it can get to the heart. You shouldn’t feel the catheter moving through the blood vessels. Once the catheter is in place, your provider injects dye through it, so they can see X-ray images.

After Your Procedure

After removing the catheter, a nurse or other provider will apply firm pressure to the puncture site to stop the bleeding. With some procedures, you’ll need to lie flat for several hours to help the incision start healing.

You’ll spend time in the recovery room while the sedation or anesthesia wears off.

When you go home, try to keep your activities to a minimum. If you live alone, plan to have someone stay with you the first night. It’s usually OK to return to light activity the next day.

Call your doctor if you experience any bleeding, painful swelling, or numbness near the area where you had the catheter.

Other Interventional Cardiology Procedures at Benefis

At Benefis, you have access to the latest interventional cardiology imaging technologies. In addition to helping with diagnosis of heart conditions, these technologies enable us to perform other minimally invasive procedures, such as: