Hearing that you need a cardiac catheterization can cause doubt or concern, but I want to reassure you: today, it's one of the safest, fastest, and most accurate cardiovascular procedures available. As a clinical and interventional specialist, I use catheterization to see exactly what's happening in your heart and, in many cases, resolve the problem right then and there, without the need for major surgery.
What is a Cardiac Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure. A very thin, flexible tube (catheter), usually inserted through the wrist or groin, is guided through the blood vessels to the heart. This is all done under local anesthesia, painlessly, and with the patient fully conscious and relaxed.
This procedure has two main functions:
What is the difference between cardiac catheterization and angioplasty?
Diagnostic Catheterization (For answers)
It allows us to visualize the inside of your coronary arteries in real time using a contrast medium. It is the gold standard test for detecting:
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Blockages in the arteries.
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Defects in the heart valves.
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Pumping problems in the heart muscle.
Interventional Catheterization (To provide solutions)
If during diagnosis we find a blocked artery that puts your health at risk, we can treat it immediately. Through the same catheter, we perform procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement, opening the artery and restoring blood flow permanently and safely.
In consultations, it's very common for patients to ask me if catheterization and angioplasty are the same thing. Although they are closely related and performed in the same room, they have different purposes:
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Cardiac catheterization is the "exploration": It is the medical procedure itself. It consists of inserting the catheter (the thin tube) to reach the heart. Its main purpose is usually diagnostic: to take images, see how blood flows, and detect if there are any blocked arteries.
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Angioplasty is the "repair": It's the treatment we perform during catheterization. If we discover a blocked artery during the examination, we immediately proceed to perform angioplasty (inflating a small balloon and placing a stent) to unblock it.
In summary: catheterization gives us the map and the diagnosis; angioplasty is the solution to fix the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cardiac Catheterization
I know the idea of a heart procedure can be unsettling. As your cardiologist, I want you to have all the information you need to feel safe and at ease. Here are answers to the most common questions:
Is a cardiac catheterization painful?
No, the procedure is not painful. We do not use scalpel incisions. We apply local anesthesia to the insertion site (usually the wrist or groin) to numb the area completely. During the study, you may feel slight pressure when the catheter is inserted or a brief warmth when we apply the contrast medium, but you will not feel any pain.
Will I need general anesthesia and will I be asleep?
No. The catheterization is performed with the patient awake and conscious. We only use local anesthesia at the puncture site, and if you feel a little nervous, we can administer a mild sedative intravenously to help you stay completely relaxed throughout the procedure.
How long does the study last and what is the recovery like?
The procedure in the cardiac catheterization lab is usually quite quick, lasting between 30 and 60 minutes (if it's purely diagnostic). After the procedure, you'll go to a recovery room where you'll need to rest for a couple of hours. In most cases of diagnostic catheterization, you'll be able to go home the same day.
What are the risks of having this study done?
Because it is a minimally invasive procedure performed in high-tech facilities like the Mérida Clinic, the risks are extremely low. The most common side effect is simply a small bruise or tenderness at the catheter insertion site. The risk of major complications is minimal when performed by a certified specialist.
How should I prepare for a cardiac catheterization?
The preparation is simple. I will ask you to fast for at least 8 hours before the procedure. Also, during your initial consultation, we will review all the medications you are currently taking. I will give you specific instructions on which ones you should temporarily stop taking (such as certain blood thinners or diabetes medications) and which ones you should continue taking.
Your Heart in Expert and Certified Hands
I am Dr. Alvaro Torre, Clinical and Interventional Cardiologist. My medical practice is governed by excellence and constant updating.
Postgraduate at the Ignacio Chávez National Institute of Cardiology, the highest cardiovascular institution in the country.
Certified and Verified Doctor: Professional License: 8349496 | Specialty Certificate: 11577241.
