Catheterization Specialist

What is cardiac catheterization?

A cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that allows your cardiologist to examine your heart, including its structure and function. A catheterization is minimally invasive and is usually an outpatient procedure.

The test provides information about your heart, including the status of your coronary arteries and valves, signs of diseased heart muscle, and signs of other cardiac abnormalities.

Why would I need cardiac catheterization?

Dr. Calderon may recommend a cardiac catheterization to gather information on what’s causing your symptoms. During a catheterization, your cardiologist can:

• Check the pressure in the chambers of your heart
• Take a blood sample to measure the oxygenation
• Evaluate your heart’s pumping ability
• Look for defects in the valves or chambers of your heart
• Take a small tissue sample for a biopsy

Dr. Calderon can also perform angioplasty and stenting, to open narrow or blocked parts of your coronary arteries, either in your heart, your brain (carotid arteries), your kidney arteries, or the arteries providing flow to your extremities.

How should I prepare for catheterization?

Dr. Calderon will provide detailed instructions on how to prepare for your catheterization. In general, you will need to avoid eating and drinking from midnight prior to the procedure. If you take Coumadin® or other blood-thinning drugs, you should stop taking them three days prior to your catheterization.

What happens during cardiac catheterization?

Most catheterization procedures are performed at a local outpatient facility, and some are performed at a local hospital. Dr. Calderon will decide on the sedative depending on your procedure. He’ll also attach electrodes to your chest to monitor your heart function.

First, Dr. Calderon will obtain access either in the groin or wrist with a needle. He’ll then insert the catheter into a blood vessel and guide it to your heart and coronary arteries. Then he’ll inject a radioactive dye and take X-ray images of the dye as it moves through your heart. The dye will illuminate the chambers of your heart to allow Dr. Calderon to examine their structure and function. He’ll also measure your heart function, pressure, and the strength of your valves.

After your catheterization, you’ll be monitored for a few hours as you recover. If you have angioplasty or stenting, you may remain in the hospital overnight.

Dr. Calderon is one of the best Interventional Cardiologists. Call Lakewood Cardiovascular Consultants, located in Sarasota County, Florida, or book an appointment online today.

We see patients in Sarasota and Manatee County, Florida. Call us to book your appointment today.