Cardiac Catherization/ Invasive Coronary Angiogram

 Cardiac catheterization is commonly performed to evaluate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or abnormal stress test results. It can also help diagnose coronary artery disease. In many cases, treatment can be performed during the same procedure, including balloon angioplasty and coronary stent placement to restore blood flow through narrowed or blocked arteries.

It is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a cardiologist at the Morristown or Somerset medical center. During the procedure, a cardiologist inserts a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in the wrist or groin and carefully guides it to the heart. Using X-ray imaging and contrast dye, your provider can evaluate the coronary artery disease, assess heart valve disorders, measure pressures within the heart, and evaluate heart muscle function.

This procedure is performed under light sedation and usually done on an outpatient basis. You can expect to spend half a day at the hospital. You will need someone to drive you to and from the hospital.