An interventional cardiac catheterization (cath) is a procedure doctors use to open a blocked artery and provide better blood flow to the heart. It is different from a diagnostic cath procedure, which is used to discover if blockages exist.

During a cath, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin or arm. The catheter is guided to your heart. There the doctor will either try to open a blocked blood vessel (interventional cath) or try to determine where the blockage is (diagnostic cath).

Before the procedure

You should not eat or drink for at least eight hours before the appointment. The nursing staff will begin your preparation for the test by starting an intravenous line (IV) in your arm. This is necessary for the administration of fluids and medications. The medication will help you relax and rest during the procedure.

Once preparation is complete, you will meet the physician performing the test and be taken to the procedure area. If you are a diabetic, talk to your doctor prior to the procedure 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.

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 to assist the physician. All will be wearing hats, gowns, and masks to protect you from infection. During the test you will lay on an exam table with a large clean drape placed over your pelvic area. A special dye will be injected into your veins so the doctor can see areas of blockage when your chest is X-Rayed.

First, the physician will numb your groin with medicine. The medicine may burn as it begins to work but you should not feel any pain during the rest of the exam. The catheter (tube) will be inserted through a large vessel in the leg, known as the femoral artery. It will be lead all the way into your heart. Next, a camera will take X-ray pictures of your heart. You may be asked to turn your head or hold your breath for a few seconds. There may be a brief period of time when you will feel flushed and warm.

After the procedure

There is a recovery period involved with every cardiac catheterization that is typically four to six hours and requires the patient to remain lying down. The leg used for the procedure must be kept still during this period to reduce blood leakage.  The nursing staff can help keep you comfortable during this time.
You will be allowed to eat and drink soon after the procedure.  In fact, the nursing staff will encourage you to drink plenty of fluids to rid your body of the X-Ray dye.  You will need to stay in the hospital overnight to make sure you have tolerated the procedure well and that there are no complications as a result.

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