Cardiac Cath Lab Diagnostic Procedures

Find a hospital that provides Cardiac Cath Lab Diagnostic Procedures

Intermountain Healthcare utilizes an integrated system approach to deliver the best patient care, consistently and at the lowest appropriate cost. We use the expertise from our hospitals, clinics, and health plan to ensure excellent and consistent care no matter which Intermountain facility you visit.

• Find a hospital that provides Cardiac Cath Lab Diagnostic Procedures

Cardiac Cath Lab Diagnostic Procedures

Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a common non-surgical procedure performed in a catheterization laboratory (cath lab). Cardiac catheterization allows healthcare providers to test and treat the heart and coronary arteries. Most cardiac catheterization procedures take an hour or two to complete and require only a short hospital stay.

What happens in the cath lab:

• Catheter placement. A thin tube called a catheter is inserted through an artery (usually the femoral artery in the groin). Under the guidance of x-ray monitors, the catheter is gently guided through the blood vessels up toward the heart.
• Tests or treatments. Once the catheter is in place inside your heart chambers or coronary arteries, your healthcare providers can create images of the heart and arteries. They can also directly treat problems with your heart if necessary.

Carotid Angiography
A carotid angiogram is an x-ray used to detect narrowing or blockages in the carotid arteries (the main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain). During an angiogram, an x-ray contrast solution is injected into one or more arteries. X-rays then capture images of blood flow through the arteries.

Renal Angiography
A renal angiogram is used to detect narrowing or blockages in the renal arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys). During an angiogram, an x-ray contrast solution is injected into one or more arteries. X-rays then capture images of blood flow through the arteries.

Intermountain Healthcare resources on heart and vascular diagnostic and treatment procedures

• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 4 - Diagnostic Tests
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 5 - Treatment Procedures