Cardiac Catherization is an invasive modality utilized to test for coronary artery disease as well as other malfunctions of the heart or pulmonary system. During a cardiac catherization the physician can directly visualize the coronary anatomy. This is because radio-opaque contrast agents are injected directly into the coronary arteries causing them to appear radiodense.The radio density allows for the injected coronaries to be radio graphed and thus visualized. After visualizing the coronaries the physician can see obstructions or "plaques" that may predispose the patient to future negative cardiac events.

During cardiac catherization the physician can also measure hemodynamic pressures within the heart and pulmonary system.

Cardiac catherization is performed usually with just enough sedation to allow the patient to be comfortable. A small catheter is threaded from the femoral or brachial artery and or vein to the heart. With the arterial catheter properly positioned sequential radiographs are taken of the right and left coronary arteries while the radio contrast agent is injected thru the hollow catheter into the coronary artery. On occassion and if necessary radiocontrast images are taken of other vascular structures such as the aorta,subclavian,right or left ventricle,renal arteries,coronary grafts,and the peripheral vasculature. At the end of the procedure the physician may opt to use a closure device on the femoral artery. If no closure device is used the patient will be asked to remain flat and still on his back for a period of time to assure adequate healing of the punctured artery. The results of the procedure are readily avilable to the physician and allows him to make decisions in reference to management and treatment options.
Interventional catherization may be done and includes "opening" a coronary occlussion with balloon angioplasty or coronary stenting. If intervention is performed the patient usually spends one evening in the hospital for observation.