From Tests to Treatment: What Really Happens During Cardiac Catheterization

Most people know the word “catheter” as it’s used in urology, but a catheter is really a thin, flexible tube that carries fluids into or out of your body. As you might guess, cardiac catheterization has to do with your heart. 

At Pinnacle Healthcare System, our skilled providers offer a wide range of cardiology services, including cardiac catheterization. Our interventional cardiology services include tests to diagnose and treat many heart-related conditions.

Cardiac catheterization can be important for both diagnosis and treatment, depending on the situation. 

In this post, we describe some of the reasons your provider may recommend cardiac catheterization, as well as what you should expect both before and during your procedure. 

What is cardiac catheterization? 

Sometimes called a heart cath, cardiac catheterization involves placing a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in your arm or leg. We thread the catheter through the vessel to your heart. 

Once the catheter reaches your heart, we inject specialized dye through it. The dye allows the X-ray machine to take images of how your heart works. Video shows how your valves operate, as well as your coronary arteries and the chambers of your heart. 

Why you may need cardiac catheterization 

We may want to check to see if there’s plaque in your coronary arteries, which is a symptom of coronary artery disease. 

A cardiac catheterization can show whether your heart muscle is working as well as it should. If your heart is weak, you may need mediation or may need to take certain precautions in your day-to-day life. 

In some instances, cardiac catheterization is part of treating certain problems. For example, we can use a catheter to place a stent, which is a special device that holds a blood vessel open. 

Angioplasty is another way to treat a blocked artery. It involves using a catheter with a tiny balloon at the end that we inflate in your artery to break apart plaque and expand your vessel. 

Other reasons we may want to perform cardiac catheterization include: 

• Taking a biopsy
• Determining the cause of pain or arrhythmia
• Performing repairs, such as closing a hole
• Replacing a damaged valve

Before your cardiac catheterization

You will most likely need blood tests before your procedure, along with an electrocardiogram (EKG). We ask about all of your medications and any supplements you take and your allergies. 

You have the cardiac catheterization procedure in the hospital. Before your appointment, we let you know when you should stop eating and taking medications, and when you should expect to go home. 

The length of your stay depends in large part on the reason for your procedure. Since cardiac catheterization can be used for diagnostics and treatments of a wide variety of conditions, there’s variation in exactly what to expect following the procedure. 

What to expect during your procedure

At the time of your catheterization, you put on a hospital gown and we give you an IV. We clean and, if necessary, shave the area where we intend to insert the catheter. Then we attach electrodes to various places on your body to monitor the electrical activity in your heart. 

You take a mild drug to relax, but most likely will remain awake. 

Once we place the catheter, we dim the lights in the room so we can see the dye more clearly. Some patients report feeling hot or flushed as the dye enters. We may ask you to breathe deeply, cough, or do other small actions while we take X-rays. 

Once the imaging is completed, we remove the catheter, close the wound, and bandage the area. You can walk and move around, but you need to stay in the hospital for a few hours so we can make sure you don’t have a reaction to the dye. We provide you with thorough instructions to care for the catheter puncture site. 

Personalized guidance

If you have questions or concerns about your procedure or if you have questions about your specific situation, schedule an appointment at our Hollywood or Pembroke Pines, Florida, location. 

We want you to feel comfortable and confident about your care, and we’re happy to discuss your concerns and answer your questions.