• Your cardiac catheterization will occur in a specialized lab, typically lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours. The process begins with administering a local anesthetic at the catheter insertion site, usually in your groin or wrist. Using imaging guidance, your doctor will thread the catheter through your blood vessels to your heart. Various tests may be conducted, such as measuring pressures within your heart chambers, injecting contrast dye to visualize blood flow, or taking tissue samples if necessary. If blockages are discovered, your doctor may perform an angioplasty to widen narrowed arteries and potentially insert stents. While awake during the procedure, you’ll receive sedation for comfort. After the catheter is removed, pressure is applied to prevent bleeding, and you’ll be monitored for a few hours before typically being discharged the same day.

• As with any medical procedure, cardiac catheterization carries some risks. These can include bleeding or bruising at the insertion site, infection, allergic reactions to the contrast dye, damage to blood vessels, and, in rare instances, a heart attack or stroke. There’s also minimal radiation exposure from the X-rays used. Your CVG healthcare team will discuss these risks with you and implement measures to minimize them.

• Following your catheterization, you’ll be closely monitored for a period of time. Your doctor may advise limiting certain activities, such as intense exercise or driving, for at least 24 hours. You might be prescribed medications to manage discomfort or prevent complications. It’s important to keep the catheter insertion site clean and dry, watching for any signs of infection. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to evaluate your recovery and may involve additional tests. Most patients can resume their normal routines within a few days to a week, though this varies based on individual circumstances and the specific procedure performed.

• You’ll be pleased to know that our Atlanta heart doctors provide cardiac catheterization services at eleven easily accessible locations throughout the metro area. This means you can receive expert cardiac care near your home or workplace, minimizing travel time and disruption to your daily life. Our multiple locations make it simple to schedule appointments, undergo procedures, and attend follow-ups with ease. Whether you reside in downtown Atlanta or the surrounding suburbs, there’s likely a nearby CVG location staffed with skilled cardiologists ready to provide the care you need.

• At CVG, our cardiologists offer extensive experience caring for patients using state-of-the-art techniques. Their compassion adds so much to your care because our doctors understand how heart issues can not only affect you physically but take an emotional toll as well. Trust is the #1 factor in the doctor/patient relationship. You can trust your CVG cardiologist with every aspect of heart care.

CVG’s twenty board-certified heart doctors will guide you through your healthcare journey with the utmost compassion and individual attention. Our goal is to provide you with state-of-the-art cardiac care that includes the full spectrum of services, from testing to diagnosis and treatment. Through our combined efforts, we can conquer any challenge that comes our way.

Trust your heart health to CVG’s twenty board-certified cardiologists. Equipped with leading-edge diagnostic tools, a wealth of experience, and compassion, our cardiac team provides the highest level of personalized care.

You can review our cardiologists’ pages and explore their exceptional credentials and dedication to providing quality care. You can trust that our doctors genuinely care about you and will do everything they can to ensure you have the best quality of life possible.

To learn more, please call (770) 962-0399 or 678-582-8586. You may also request an appointment online. If you have an emergency, don’t contact us online; please call 911.