Cardiac catheterization (or heart catheterization) is essential for diagnosing and treating some heart conditions. Many people feel nervous about medical procedures, but keep in mind that a cardiac cath is safe, effective and brief. Let’s explore diagnostic cardiac catheterizationprocedures, including how long they take and why they are beneficial.
What is cardiac catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization, “cardiac cath” or “heart cath” for short, involves inserting a thin, flexible hollow tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually from the wrist/arm or groin, and guiding it to the heart. This allows doctors to see how your heart functions and potentially treat any problems.
At Georgia Heart Institute, interventional cardiologists perform thousands of cardiac caths yearly in specialized “cath lab” rooms at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville and Braselton.
Types of diagnostic cardiac cath procedures
- Coronary angiography is the most common type of cardiac catheterization. It allowsdoctors to examine the blood vessels in your heart to check for blockages or narrowing. A special contrast dye is injected through the catheter, making the blood vessels visible on X-ray images.
- Left heart catheterization: This procedure checks the pressure inside the left ventricle andmay involve assessing the pumping function, or ejection fraction. It also typically includes performing coronary angiography.
- Right heart catheterization: This procedure passes a catheter from a vein through the right side of your heart into the lungs, measuring pressures and sometimes oxygen content along the way. This allows calculation of cardiac output and various performance factors of the heart and blood vessels to optimize treatment.
- Physiologic testing: These tests (FFR, IFR, RFR) measure pressure differences across an area of coronary artery narrowing to determine if treatment would improve flow and provide symptom relief. For some patients, new technology allows us to get similar information from a noninvasive coronary artery CT scan.
- Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT): IVUS and OCT procedures use ultrasound or near-infrared light waves from a catheter inside the coronary arteries to get very detailed images of the arterial wall and plaque composition, typically in preparation and assessment of angioplasty/stenting.
How long does a heart cath take?
The length of a cardiac cath procedure can vary depending on the type of test, access locations, and your overall health. On average, it usually takes 30 minutes, but for very complicated scenarios, it can take up to two hours. The total time spent at the hospital will be longer due topreparation and recovery.
Preparation and recovery
- Before the procedure:
- You will receive instructions from your healthcare team that may include fasting and not taking certain medications before the procedure.
- During the procedure:
- You will be given medications to make you sleepy, but you will still able to be awakened easily. This allows you to feel relaxed and comfortable and alleviate pain or discomfort.
- Recovering after the procedure:
- You will be monitored briefly until you return to baseline function and assessed fordifficulties.
Nearly all patients will go home the same day, but it is essential to follow post-procedure instructions provided by your cardiologist and care team, such as avoiding strenuous activities.
Is cardiac catheterization safe?
Cardiac caths are generally very safe. Like any medical procedure, it carries some risks, including bruising, bleeding or allergic reactions. However, serious complications are rare.
The benefits of heart caths typically far outweigh the risks. These procedures provide crucial information about heart health and can allow cardiologists to treat certain conditions during the same procedure.
Connect with our program
Cardiac catheterization is a vital tool in diagnosing and treating heart conditions. The expert interventional cardiologists at Georgia Heart Institute perform thousands of these procedures. If you or a loved one needs a cardiac cath, rest assured that you are in good hands.
You will need a referral to schedule a specific procedure. However, you can request an appointment with an interventional cardiologist or a non-invasive cardiologist at one of our convenient locations. Your cardiologist will work with you to determine if a catheter-based procedure is needed and coordinate that process.
To schedule an appointment, click the button below or call 770-219-0950.
Glen Henry, MD, is the Medical Director of Interventional Cardiology and the Cardiac Catheterization Labs for Georgia Heart Institute.