Cardiac catheterization is the foundation for interventional cardiology. It involves the insertion of a tiny, flexible catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart to perform diagnostic or treatment procedures. Often, diagnosis and treatment can be combined into one session in the catheterization laboratory, as the doctor may use cardiac catheterization first to visualize the heart structures and measure pressures and flow, then to introduce a different catheter-based instrument to proceed with a treatment procedure, for example, coronary artery angioplasty or atherectomy.

The technique for cardiac catheterization varies somewhat depending on the site of catheter insertion and the types of procedures that are planned. For example, the catheter-insertion site has traditionally been the femoral artery, a relatively large artery in the groin area. But recent advances in catheter technology have resulted in increasing preference for a smaller artery in the forearm, called the radial artery. This approach offers certain benefits over other insertion sites, such as greater comfort for the patient and a shorter stay in the hospital.

During the cardiac catheterization, a mild sedative is usually given to help you relax, however, you are awake through the entire procedure. You may be asked to participate in certain aspects of a diagnostic evaluation.