Cardiac catheterization is a very
common diagnostic test performed thousands of times a day. A local anesthetic is
given by injection so that you don't feel any pain at the site where the catheter
enters your body. The injection feels like a bee sting; it is probably the most
uncomfortable part of the procedure. During cardiac catheterization, introducer
sheath is inserted into a blood vessel through which your physician will insert a
long, thin tube into a blood vessel in your groin or arm. The tube will be gently
directed to the heart and to the origin of the coronary arteries. Video monitors make
it possible for the cardiologist to view the catheter moving through the body You
shouldn't feel any pain as the catheter moves through your body and up into your
heart. Dye is then injected into the coronary artery while x-ray pictures are taken.
The dye in the coronary arteries is seen by the x-ray as a white filling inside the
arteries. A disruption of the white filling may signify an area of plaque build-up
inside the wall of the artery. During this same procedure, dye is injected into the
heart's pumping chambers in order to see how well the heart muscle is contracting
and how well the valves are working. After the testing is done, the catheter and
introducer sheaths are removed and pressure and a bandage are applied at the site.
