Cardiac Catheterization & Angioplasty/Stents

Cardiac Catheterization & Angioplasty/Stents at Palm Beach Cardiology Center

Cardiac Catheterization is a specialized study of the heart during which a catheter, a thin flexible tube, is inserted into the artery of the groin or arm. Under x-ray visualization, the tip of the catheter is guided to the heart. Pressures are measured and an x-ray Angiogram (Angio) movie of the heart and blood vessels are obtained while injecting a colorless dye through the catheter. X-ray movie pictures taken during the injection of the contrast material allow the coronary arteries to be visualized. If a severely blocked artery is identified that limits blood flow to the heart, this can be fixed with deployment of a balloon or stent. Stents are small expandable tubes used to treat narrowed or weakened arteries in the body. This otherwise known as a percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI. Direct visualization of the artery through ultrasound (IVUS) or pressure monitoring (FFR) can also be used to further assess the severity of disease and to establish procedural success.

Cardiac Catheterization & Angioplasty/Stents Q & A

Why would I need cardiac catheterization and angioplasty/stents?

Cardiac catheterization and angioplasty/stents are recommended if you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or abnormal results from other heart tests. They are used to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease, assess the severity of blockages, and improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

How is cardiac catheterization performed?

During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in the groin or wrist and guided to the heart. A contrast dye is injected through the catheter, allowing X-ray images to be taken of the heart’s blood vessels. This helps identify blockages or other issues.

What happens during angioplasty and stent placement?

If a blockage is found during cardiac catheterization, a balloon catheter is inserted and inflated to open the blocked artery. A stent may be placed to keep the artery open. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place to maintain improved blood flow.

How long does the procedure take?

Cardiac catheterization and angioplasty/stent placement usually take between 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the number of blockages treated.