Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is an imaging procedure that allows the cardiologist to evaluate how well your heart is functioning. Cardiac catheterization is used to:

• Evaluate or confirm the presence of coronary artery disease, valve disease or disease of the aorta
• Evaluate heart-muscle function
• Determine the need for further treatment (such as an interventional procedure or coronary-artery bypass graft)

How it Works

During a cardiac catheterization, a long, narrow tube called a catheter is inserted through a plastic introducer sheath (a short, hollow tube that is inserted into a blood vessel in your leg or arm). Using a special X-ray machine, the catheter is guided through the blood vessel to the coronary arteries.

Contrast material is injected through the catheter and X-ray movies are created as the contrast material moves through the heart’s chambers, valves and major vessels. This part of the procedure is called a coronary angiogram (or coronary angiography).

Coronary artery disease shows up as the narrowing or blockage of the coronary (heart) arteries. The digital photographs of the contrast material identify the site of the narrowing or blockage in the coronary artery.

Cardiac catheterization is not considered a surgical procedure because there is no incision used to open the chest, and the recovery time is much shorter than that of surgery. In some cases, surgery could be recommended afterward, depending on the results of the procedure.

The Diagnostic Cath Lab at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial

Our Diagnostic Cath Lab represents our commitment to help our patients win their battles against heart disease. It plays a key role in helping our team diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease as well as help prevent heart attack and stroke in our patients. The Cath Lab is an all-digital X-ray cardiovascular imaging suite, where catheterizations are performed Your team is there to provide you with unsurpassed care and professionalism.