Cardiac Catheterization & PCI

What Is It?

Cardiac catheterization (or “heart cath”) is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. A tiny catheter is inserted via an artery in the groin, arm, wrist, or neck and guided to the heart using live X-ray imaging.

Diagnostic Uses:

  • Visualize coronary arteries (angiography)
  • Measure cardiac chamber pressures
  • Assess valve function and heart muscle performance

Interventional Procedures:

  • Balloon angioplasty and stenting to open narrowed coronary arteries
  • Techniques like fractional flow reserve (FFR) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to guide treatment

Risks & Recovery:

  • Risks include bleeding, artery damage, rhythm issues, dye reactions, or infection
  • Patients stay awake under mild sedation, recover in our observation area, and go home the same day
PCI procedure image