Cardiac Catheterization Procedures

Cardiac catheterization is a very common diagnostic procedure. During cardiac catheterization, your physician will insert a long, thin tube into a blood vessel in your groin or arm. The tube will be gently directed to the heart and to the origin of the coronary arteries. Contrast dye is then injected into the coronary artery while x-ray pictures are taken. The contrast dye in the coronary arteries is seen on the x-ray as a white line. A disruption of the white line may signify an area of plaque build-up inside the wall of the artery. At the Memorial Heart Institute, we also perform life-saving diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including:

• Coronary "balloon" angioplasty
• Coronary atherectomy
• Coronary stent implantation
• Electrophysiology studies
• A-V nodal ablations
• Intravascular ultrasound
• Intravascular Brachytherapy

Pre-Catheterization

Your physician will order some tests before your procedure. They may include blood work, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), stress-treadmill test, and chest x-ray. A nurse will make sure we have a complete list of your regular medications and give you instructions. You will be admitted to the hospital the morning of the procedure. After midnight prior to the day of your procedure, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything, except enough water to take your medications. An intravenous line may also be started. You will remain awake but comfortable throughout the procedure so you may follow the doctor's instructions.

During Catheterization

On your arrival to the cath lab, you will be asked to move onto a large x-ray table. Nurses and technologists will prepare you for the procedure by placing ECG electrodes on your chest, cleansing your groin or arm area with antiseptic solution and covering you with sterile towels and sheets. When your doctor arrives, he will inject your groin or arm with a numbing medication known as Xylocaine.

After this medication has taken effect, your doctor will make a small puncture at the groin or arm where he will insert the catheter into your blood vessel. The physician will watch the movement of the catheter by x-ray. You may feel some pressure at the site of the insertion, but you will not feel the catheter inside your body. Once the catheter has been guided to your heart, the contrast is administered through the catheter.


There may be several injections of the contrast dye, and the catheter may be moved around during the procedure. This is necessary to get different views of your heart and coronary arteries. A flushed feeling may occur while taking the picture of your heart muscle. This will last only for some 15 to 20 seconds. This is a normal reaction to the contrast and is not a cause for concern.

During the catheterization procedure you may be asked to breathe deep and cough. The entire time in the cath lab will probably be less than one hour. Be sure to let your physician know if at any time you feel dizziness, nausea, tingling, and numbness or chest discomfort.

Once the catheterization is completed, the catheter is removed and firm pressure is applied to the puncture site in your groin or arm for approximately 10-20 minutes. A large dressing will be put over the site.

You may develop a backache from lying flat and you will probably feel cold soon after you come out of the cath lab. These are normal feelings, and they will go away very soon. But be sure to notify the nurses so they can offer you pain medication or extra blankets.

Post-Catheterization

After the catheterization, you will he returned to a recovery area or your room. You may have to lie in bed from 3 to 6 hours unless a percutaneous stitch has been placed in the blood vessel opening. In this circumstance you may be to move about much earlier. You will be allowed to resume eating and drinking now. Your blood pressure and pulse, as well as the puncture site, will be checked frequently.