A cardiac catheterization test examines whether any vessels in your heart are narrowed or blocked. Vessels carry blood to every part of your body. Cardiac catheterization is sometimes referred to as an angiogram or arteriogram.

During a cardiac catheterization, a thin, flexible tube about the size of thin spaghetti is fed through an artery from the groin and into the heart. Through this tube or catheter a special X-ray dye is injected into the blood vessels, and pictures are taken to determine the presence of blockages. If narrow blood vessels or blockages are seen, the physician may perform what is known as an "intervention" to open the vessel during the procedure. These interventions include:

• Angioplasty - Using a small balloon and catheter to expand a narrow blood vessel.
• Stenting - A thin mesh tube is placed in the artery to support the opening.
• Atherectomy - Material creating the blockage is cut away.

What does it tell the doctor?
A cardiac catheterization tells a physician whether your heart vessels are blocked or open. Narrowed vessels present problems and may require repair during the same procedure. Cardiac catheterization can also determine pressures in the heart, its pumping strength and its valve structure.

What happens before the test?
You should not eat or drink for at least eight hours before your appointment. The nursing staff will start an intravenous line (IV) to give you medication and fluids through the veins in your arm. The medication will help you relax and rest during the procedure. 

If you are a diabetic, talk to your doctor because your medication may need to be adjusted. Also, if you have a dye or shellfish allergy, you need to inform your doctor and the cardiac cath lab staff so special precautions can be taken to prevent you from having a reaction.

What will I experience during the procedure?
The cardiac cath procedure takes between 30 minutes to an hour. You will not be completely asleep during the procedure, because it will be necessary to talk to you during the test. There will be several staff members in the lab who will assist the physician.

First, your physician will numb your groin with medicine. The medicine may burn as it begins to work but then you should have no pain for the rest of the exam. A small thin tube called a catheter will be threaded through a large vessel in your leg known as the femoral artery. It will follow that artery to your heart.

A special X-ray dye will flow through the catheter to aid in the detection of any narrowing or blockage in your blood vessels. Next, you will see a large camera move in several directions to take pictures of your blood vessels and your heart. You may be asked to turn your head or hold your breath for a few seconds while pictures are taken. If the cardiologist finds a narrowed vessel in the heart, an additional intervention procedure may be necessary to open the vessel. This additional procedure may be done during the cardiac catheterization.

Pressures inside the heart and vessels are also measured during your cardiac catheterization. This additional information helps determine how well your heart is functioning. Most patients do not have any discomfort from this procedure. If you have any anxiety or pain, let the staff know.

Are there risks?
Complication with a cardiac catheterization is low, less than one percent. Bleeding is the number one risk involved with this type of procedure. If you feel anything wet or warm during the recovery phase, let the nursing staff know immediately. Other complications such as infection, heart attack and stroke are very rare.

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