CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION

Cardiac catheterization is a test to show coronary blood flow to the heart muscle and can show if there's a congenital heart defect. It allows your physician to see the pumping action of the heart and blood flow in the chambers of the heart. A catheter is a long, thin, flexible tube. It is usually inserted in the groin area, into the femoral artery. Anesthetic is injected at the site of the insertion. Once the catheter is inserted and travels through the body toward the heart, the doctor is able to see the placement of the catheter through a microscopic camera lens at the end of the catheter.