A catheter is a small tube. Cardiac catheterization means the passage of a catheter to the heart or to the blood vessels that nourish the heart. To get the tube to the heart, it is passed through a blood vessel in the arm or the groin. A cardiac catheterization test is usually done in a hospital or a special laboratory.
During this procedure, the heart's rate is monitored and the blood flow in the heart is measured. Instruments can be passed through the catheter to treat the heart or its blood vessels.
During a cardiac catheterization procedure, an angiogram may be performed. An angiogram is the injection of a special dye into the heart or its blood vessels that shows up on an x-ray. The procedure identifies any blockage in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply the heart. The angiogram can also show how the heart is beating and how the blood flows through the heart. There may be some bruising or discomfort at the site of the catheter entry.
Cardiac catheterization and angiogram are safe procedures with minimal risks. Some people can be allergic to the dye used during an angiogram. If you have ever had a reaction to a test that involves x-ray dyes, even a gall bladder test, you should tell your healthcare provider.
If you or someone in your family needs one of these tests, ask your healthcare provider to discuss the risks and benefits of the test with you.
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