Cardiac Catheterization (Coronary Angiography)

What is a Cardiac Catheterization?

Cardiac Catheterization is a procedure used to see how blood flows through the heart and to find severe blockages in the coronary arteries that can lead to a heart attack. 

How is a Cardiac Catheterization performed?

A cardiac catheterization is performed to help your physician identify blocked areas within the arteries.  Before the procedure begins, the patient is given a mild sedative as well as local anesthetic.  During the procedure, a soft, plastic hollow tube is inserted into an artery.  The tube is usually inserted through the groin or the arm and then a radiographic contrast dye is injected into the patient's blood stream to help highlight the blocked areas of the arteries.  The physician uses X-ray images to help locate any blockages and determine the best course of treatment.  The patient remains awake during the procedure and it will last from one to several hours. 

If a blockage is revealed, the patient will be presented with three treatment possibilities: medications, angioplasty or bypass surgery.  This procedure is usually done in our outpatient Cardiac Catheterization Lab by our highly trained and experienced physicians and medical team.