Cardiac Catheterization with Brookhaven Cardiac
Understanding Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure that allows our cardiologists to take pictures and measurements of the arteries and valves in your heart using catheters to find out if you have any disease of the heart muscle itself, in the heart valves, or in coronary arteries. This allows our trained team to diagnose and treat many cardiovascular conditions you may have.
During this procedure, our cardiologists may take x-rays to look for narrowed or blocked arteries, use a stent to open a narrowed or blocked segment of a coronary artery, evaluate your heart chambers and valve function, check oxygen content in the heart, and more.
This procedure may be performed through your radial (arm) or femoral artery/vein (groin) access depending on what is best suited for you. You‘ll be awake during this process, but you’ll be given medications to help you relax. Recovery time is quick.
Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting
Angioplasty and stenting are invasive cardiac interventions that help you eliminate chest pain and may even safe your life. If our cardiologists discover that you have blocked or narrowed arteries, we can perform procedures to widen and open the passageways.
Angioplasty uses a balloon to expand a blocked or narrowed artery, while a stent is a permanent device that helps maintain the new opening. Cardiologists often use both together. After performing such procedures, vital medications may be required to thin your blood and protect your stents/arteries from occluding in the future.
Preparing for Catheterization with Brookhaven Cardiac
When you schedule a cardiac catheterization, we’ll make sure you are fully informed about everything you need to do to prepare for this type of procedure.
Some of the instructions you’ll receive include:
- What to eat and drink in the 24 hours before the cardiac service
- To report to your cardiologist about any medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicine, herbs, and vitamins
- To report any allergies, especially allergies to iodine, shellfish, latex, or rubber
- To arrange for someone to drive you home from the procedure
- To bring any hearing aids or glasses you need with you
During a Cardiac Catheterization
Be sure to come a few minutes early to the hospital, so we can be sure to start on time. Before the procedure, a nurse will start an IV line so you can get the medicine needed to help you relax.
You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the site, and a needle will be put in through your skin into a large blood vessel. The doctor will insert the catheter and use various instruments at the entry to the catheter to make measurements and view any blockages.
The procedure generally lasts about an hour, and then you’ll be in recovery for a few hours. Then you will be released within a few hours. If you happen to receive a stent, you may need to be observed for an overnight stay assuring a pleasant and safe discharge.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
A cardiac catheterization allows us to get a good inside view of how your heart is functioning and any problems that are occurring so that our team of cardiologists can recommend the best course of action.
We are affiliated with Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, NY, SUNY Stony Brook University Medical Center in Stony Brook, NY, Catholic Health Services of Long Island at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY, and Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, NY where your cardiac catheterization can be performed.
If you need to schedule an appointment or would like our doctors to discuss cardiac catheterization services with you, contact Brookhaven Cardiac at (631) 364-0085 today.