Cardiac catheterization
Key points
- Cardiac catheterization involves the passage of a catheter (a thin flexible tube) into the right or left side of the heart.
- You will be given a mild sedative prior to the test to help you relax.
- Food and fluid are restricted 6 to 8 hours before the test.
- The study is carried out in a laboratory by a trained cardiologist or radiologist and technicians or nurses.
Alternative names
Catheterization - cardiac; Heart catheterization
Definition
Cardiac catheterization involves the passage of a catheter (a thin flexible tube) into the right or left side of the heart. In general, this procedure is performed to obtain diagnostic information about the heart or its blood vessels or to provide treatment in certain types of heart conditions.
Cardiac catheterization can be used to determine pressure and blood flow in the heart's chambers, collect blood samples from the heart, and examine the arteries of the heart with an x-ray technique called fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy provides immediate ("real-time") visualization of the x-ray images on a screen and provides a permanent record of the procedure.
How the test is performed
You will be given a mild sedative prior to the test to help you relax. An intravenous (IV) line is inserted into one of the blood vessels in your arm, neck, or groin after the site has been cleansed and numbed with a local anesthetic.
A catheter is then inserted through the IV and into your blood vessel. The catheter is carefully threaded into the heart using an x-ray machine that produces real-time pictures (fluoroscopy). Once the catheter is in place, contrast material is injected and pictures are taken.
How to prepare for the test
Food and fluid are restricted 6 to 8 hours before the test. The procedure takes place in the hospital and you will be asked to wear a hospital gown. Sometimes, admission the night before the test is required. Otherwise, you will be admitted as an outpatient or an inpatient the morning of the procedure.
Your health care provider should explain the procedure and its risks. A witnessed, signed consent for the procedure is required.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to seafood, if you have had a bad reaction to contrast material in the past, if you are taking Viagra, or if you might be pregnant.
In infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experience, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
- infant test/procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- Toddler test/procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- Preschooler test/procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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