Cardiac Services

Cardiac Catheterization

During cardiac catheterization a catheter, or thin tube, is guided through a blood vessel to the area of the body that needs to be assessed. The catheter is inserted through a very small incision in the groin or arm, then guided up through the blood vessel to the heart. The physician tracks the course of the catheter on a fluoroscope, which displays the blood vessels on a viewing screen. A variety of measurements are performed when the catheter is in place, and then the catheter is removed. After a brief recovery period, most patients are able to go home. Results should be available to the physician within a matter of hours.