Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a common diagnostic test performed to evaluate the condition of heart muscle, valves, and vessels. During cardiac catheterization, your physician will insert special long, flexible tubes—called angiography catheters—into your heart and coronary arteries. Contrast media (sometimes called dye) is injected through the angiography catheter while x-ray images are taken. The dye causes areas where blood flows, including vessels and heart chambers, to temporarily become darker than the surrounding tissue. This enables the physician to see how effectively your heart is pumping, and to determine if there are any narrowed blood vessels. Blood pressure measurements are also taken at this time.