Cardiac Catheterization at SOMC

What I need to know.

  1. WHAT IS A CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION?
    Cardiac Catheterization is a test where a doctor puts a small hollow tube (catheter) into a blood vessel and then moves it up into the heart. This test site will be numb before the tube is put in. This catheter is used to record pressures in your heart and to inject a dye (contrast medium) into the heart to allow X-rays to be made. The actual procedure usually lasts 20-30 minutes, but you can plan to be in the Cath lab for 4 hours, this includes recovery time. Your family will be updated on your progress.
  2. WHY IS THIS TEST DONE?
    Reasons your doctor may want to do this test are: abnormal heart beat, abnormal stress test, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart murmurs or blocked vessels. This test will check how well your heart pumps, look for blockages, and will check the heart valves.
  3. DURING THE TEST
    1. Your doctor will use medicine to numb the cleaned area. The medicine stings and burns in the beginning, but after a few seconds you will only feel pressure in that area. If you feel any discomfort, please tell the doctor or nurse.
    2. A small tube will be placed in the blood vessel.
    3. Your doctor will pass a catheter through the small tube and into your heart.
      1. Once the catheter reaches your heart you may feel extra heartbeats.
      2. X-ray dye will be injected through the catheter so the doctor can get pictures of your heart. This may cause you to feel warm, which is normal.
      3. If you feel any discomfort, tell your nurse.
  4. CERTAIN MEDICATIONS CAN AFFECT YOUR OUTCOMES
    Please discuss all medications [including vitamins and/or dietary supplements] with your health care provider prior to having a Heart Catheterization procedure.
  5. TREATMENT OPTIONS [if coronary artery disease is diagnosed during the test]
    1. Lifestyle management
    2. Medications
    3. Angioplasty and/or Stent
    4. Heart Bypass Surgery
  6. WHAT IS ANGIOPLASTY?
    Angioplasty is a procedure that is intended to improve blood flow to your heart muscle. During angioplasty, a catheter with a balloon at the tip is placed into the narrowed blood vessel. The balloon is used to open the narrowed blood vessel and increase the blood flow to your heart muscle.
    7. A balloon is inserted into the narrowed area. The balloon is inflated, flattening plaque against the artery walls. The artery is widened, improving blood flow.
  7. WHAT IS A STENT?
    A stent is a small metal coil or mesh tube. It is placed in a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. The stent will stay in the blood vessel to hold it open and improve blood flow to your heart muscle.
    The stent, mounted onto a balloon, is slid into place. The balloon is inflated to open the stent. The stent remains in place, holding the artery open to retain improved blood flow.
  8. WHAT IS HEART BYPASS SURGERY?
    Heart Bypass surgery is when a blood vessel from another part of the body is used to bypass the blocked blood vessel so more blood can get to the heart. Heart Bypass surgery is an alternative option to angioplasty that is determined by your cardiologist.

 

This page last updated on November 22, 2005

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