During the procedure, a very thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery in the groin and threaded into the heart. Once in place, a dye is injected into the arteries of the heart. The flow of the dye throughout the heart and coronary arteries is recorded so the physician can determine the function of the heart muscle, the flow of blood through the heart valves and the presence of any narrowing of the coronary arteries that nourish the heart muscle. The catheter can also measure the pressure of blood pumped by the heart. With this information, the physician can prescribe the proper treatment for any abnormality found.

Coronary angioplasty, stent placement and rotoblation all involve placing a catheter into the groin and threading it into the specific artery. An angioplasty uses a balloon threaded through the catheter and inserted into the narrowed artery. The balloon is inflated to open up the blocked area and smooth the material (plaque) back against the wall of the artery.

A stent is a small metal tube inserted into the narrowing of an artery and expanded to further push open the artery and help keep it open. This is used when the material (plaque) in the artery is rough and does not smooth down. Some newer stents are coated with a drug that is used to help prevent a blockage from forming. These are called drug eluting stents and your particular clinical situation will determine if a drug eluting stent is warranted.

Rotoblation is used to burrow through hard rough plaque and is often followed with angioplasty and/or a stent to smooth down the hard material.

All procedures performed in the cardiac catherization lab are safe and relatively painless although some discomfort may be present once the procedure is finished. Procedures are performed under a local anesthetic so the patient will not feel anything. The cath lab is backed by the complete medical care provided by St. Rita's Medical Center if complications should occur.