Hospital Services

Cardiac Catheterizations:

Cardiac catheterization is also known as coronary angiography. Despite recent advances in non-invasive imaging techniques, angiography (putting x-ray dye into the arteries), remains the gold standard for diagnosis of vascular disease. The technique essentially involves the placement of a catheter into an artery, either through the groin or through the arm, under local anesthesia. This is done at larger hospitals and involves very little discomfort. The only pain is generally from the local anesthesia. However, cardiac catheterization labs are well equipped to handle several emergency situations should they arise. The imaging is accompanied by pictures of the coronary arteries which are recorded either in CINE form or on disc. Results are generally available immediately. Often, cardiac catheterization is combined with angioplasty or stent placement if the situation indicates that this is appropriate treatment.

Hospital stay with cardiac catheterization alone is usually less than 24 hours. If cardiac catheterization is utilized in combination with stent or angioplasty procedures, an overnight
stay is usually the case.

Patients must fast overnight. Instructions for cardiac catheterization are generally given at the
time of the office visit. More information might be available on links from this web site.