A cardiac catheterization laboratory, or cath lab, is a specialized hospital area for diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel conditions. These labs use advanced imaging to visualize the heart and its arteries. Procedures are typically minimally invasive, involving small incisions for detailed examinations and interventions.
Understanding the Purpose
Patients are referred to a cath lab for both diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic interventions. Diagnostic procedures uncover symptoms like chest pain or irregular heartbeats by assessing heart function, identifying blockages, or measuring heart pressures. For instance, a coronary angiogram uses contrast dye and X-ray imaging to pinpoint narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
Interventional procedures correct identified problems, such as opening blocked arteries, repairing heart defects, or widening narrowed heart valves. Conditions like atherosclerosis, heart valve disease, or heart failure may lead to a cath lab visit. These procedures often prevent the need for more invasive open-heart surgery.
Preparing for Your Visit
Before a cath lab procedure, patients receive specific instructions. You will typically avoid eating or drinking for several hours, often six to eight, beforehand. Your medical team will advise on which medications to continue or temporarily stop, especially blood thinners or diabetes medications.
Prior evaluations, such as blood tests or heart imaging, may be conducted. You will sign consent forms and discuss any allergies or concerns with your healthcare providers. Arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.
The Procedure Experience
Upon arrival, a multidisciplinary team (interventional cardiologist, nurses, technicians) will manage your care. A nurse will place an intravenous (IV) line for fluids or medication to help you relax.
The procedure begins with a local anesthetic injected at the catheter insertion site (typically groin or wrist) to numb the area. You may feel pressure but generally no pain. A small tube, called a sheath, is inserted into a blood vessel, guiding a thin, flexible catheter. The cardiologist uses real-time X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) to navigate the catheter to your heart.
During the procedure, contrast dye is often injected through the catheter into your arteries and heart chambers, making blood vessels visible on X-ray images to identify blockages. You might experience a brief feeling of warmth or a metallic taste when the dye is injected. Common procedures include coronary angiography (diagnosing blockages) and angioplasty (using a balloon to open narrowed arteries). Often, a small mesh tube called a stent is then placed to keep the artery open. Patients are typically awake and can follow instructions, though mild sedation helps maintain comfort.
After Your Procedure
Following the cath lab procedure, care focuses on preventing bleeding and monitoring recovery. Pressure is applied to the insertion site to help the vessel seal, sometimes using a closure device or stitch. If the catheter was placed in your groin, you will typically need to lie flat for several hours (usually two to six) for proper healing. If the wrist was used, recovery often allows for sitting up sooner.
Nurses will continuously monitor your vital signs and check the insertion site for bleeding or swelling. You will be encouraged to drink fluids to help flush the contrast dye from your system. Before discharge, you will receive detailed instructions on wound care, activity restrictions, and medication adherence. Strenuous activities are limited for a few days to a week; avoid contact with water at the insertion site for about a week. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms like uncontrolled bleeding, new chest pain, or fever.