Hospital Tests & Procedures

Cardiac Catheterization (Coronary Angiography)
Cardiac catheterization is an X-ray test that uses radiographic contrast (‘dye") to visualize the coronary arteries and pinpoint the presence and severity of blockages and, more importantly, to determine the best treatment available. If the test reveals blockages, you will be offered one of three treatment possibilities: medications only, angioplasty or bypass surgery.

The test is done on an outpatient basis. The patient is mildly sedated but awake during the procedure. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area (usually the right groin). Soft plastic tubes ("catheters") are inserted into the artery and then advanced under X-ray guidance. The dye is injected into the heart chambers and coronaries and pictures are taken from different angles. This is the best test available to find and visualize the blockages.

Both cardiac and peripheral vascular angiographic procedures will be performed using state-of-the-art equipment. This treatment option is expected to increase patient satisfaction and convenience by avoiding admission to the hospital. A non-threatening environment, caring nurses and skillful technologists will make this experience more comfortable for you.

It is not uncommon to have blockages in more than one organ. Angiography of the leg arteries, renal arteries (those to the kidneys) and carotid arteries are also performed in the Cardiac Cath lab. These tests are sometimes done simultaneously in different combination according to your needs. Since it makes sense to consider the heart and blood vessels as one system, our center has expanded the scope of services to include the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of non-coronary vascular problems.