What is a cardiac catheterization procedure?

Heart imaging: The doctor inserts a long thin tube through an artery in your groin or wrist. They then inject contrast dye through that tube while x-raying to look at the heart and the vessels that feed the heart. They can also open the vessels with little balloons through the tube if needed.

Multiple Aspects: A catheterization can be both diagnostic (i.e. Determine information) and therapeutic (i.e. Treat disease). A catheter is like a long iv. Catheters are inserted into arteries and/or veins and threaded up into your heart. Some catheters measure pressure (unique to cath), other's inject dye for pictures, and yet others have balloons and stents to treat diseases.