Home | Diagnosis | Invasive Diagnostic Procedures | Cardiac Catheterization / Coronary Angiography
Cardiac catheterization is a commonly used procedure in which a thin plastic tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery or vein in the arm or the leg. From here the catheter can be directed into the chambers of the heart or into the coronary arteries. Once in position, blood pressure and the oxygen content of the blood can be measured and the pumping ability of the heart can be assessed. The catheter can also be used to inject a dye into the coronary arteries (coronary angiography). When an X-ray is taken of the coronary arteries containing dye, the dye shows up as white lines; disruption of the white line, or a narrowing of the line may signify obstruction of the artery.