What Does Cardiac Catheterization Do?
This proactive type of evaluation and care may help address the progression of cardiovascular disease. Specifically, cardiac catheterization diagnoses problems with blood flow and pressure as well as valve function. It does this by mapping out the inside of a heart’s arteries to look for blockages.
Hunt Regional Healthcare’s state-of-the-art imaging machine with a speed of 30–60 frames per second performs advanced diagnostic imaging. The machine can produce images of the five major vessels of the heart, the peripheral arteries, and the extremities.
Test results allow the cardiac physician to develop an appropriate treatment plan. This plan may include bypass surgery, medication modification, or angioplasty.
When is Cardiac Catheterization Needed?
Catheterization may be ordered if a screening examination, such as an electrocardiogram, points to the likelihood of an underlying heart condition that needs further evaluation. A doctor also may order a cath lab procedure to evaluate blood flow to the heart when pain occurs after a patient:
- Experiences a heart attack
- Has bypass surgery
- Has stent placement
- Has a coronary angioplasty
Cardiac catheterization also may be helpful if a patient has recently experienced:
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
In other cases, patients may be referred to our cardiac cath lab for an interventional procedure such as a stent placement or pacemaker implant.
Diagnostic Heart Testing and Evaluations
One of the following tests may be recommended help pinpoint an underlying heart condition:
An X-ray examination of the coronary arteries. A catheter is placed into the coronary arteries and the pumping chambers of the heart.
An X-ray examination of the coronary arteries. A catheter is placed into the coronary arteries to assess the arteries and the pumping chambers of the heart. Another catheter is inserted into the venous side of the heart, to measure pressures and oxygen saturation to determine valve gradients, shunts and valve prolapse.
An X-ray examination of the peripheral arteries. A catheter is placed into the inferior vena cava (IVC) to access the peripheral arteries.
What to Expect Upon Arrival
Our Cardiovascular Services Center includes:
- A pre-procedure holding area
- A cardiac catheterization suite
- A post-procedure area
Several screens are in the cardiac catheterization suite. These are in place to monitor the vital signs of the patient during procedures. A nurse is also present to attend to the needs and comfort of the patient.
After completing the cardiac testing, which takes from 45 minutes to an hour, patients move to the post-procedure area before being released to return home.
