A cardiac catheterization is performed by inserting a fiber-thin catheter into the groin area and feeding it up toward the heart, where cardiologists can insert dyes into the coronary arteries to locate, and often clear away potentially life-threatening blockages.
The images produced by this procedure help cardiologists diagnose whether you have disease in your coronary arteries, and if so, pinpoint the size and location of plaque that may have built up in your coronary arteries from atherosclerosis. This is generally done to determine whether you need bypass surgery or angioplasty.
Catheterizations can be categorized into two groups. First is Diagnostic, or non-interventional, which means that the test is strictly performed to verify the extent of the disease and help the cardiologists determine the most effective type of treatment. The second is the interventional catheterization. Here, the physician will perform the diagnostic portion, but will continue with a procedure that will correct the problem, usually by opening up a clogged artery. Common procedures are angioplasty and stent placement.
At Lima Memorial's state-of-the-art Cath Lab, all invasive procedures are performed by cardiologists who confer directly with the referring physician. Our goal is to diagnose potential risks, and if needed, clear blockages with the least invasive procedure and the latest technology possible using drug coated stents, angioplasties or radiation.
