Cardiac catheterisation is a test that guides a thin tube through an artery or vein into the heart. It measures pressures inside the chambers, checks the valves and, with contrast dye and X-rays, shows the coronary arteries in detail. A coronary angiogram is the most common form.

Patients seeking heart treatment in Mumbai at Apex are usually advised catheterisation when symptoms, ECG changes, a stress test or a scan suggest narrowed arteries, or when valve or heart muscle disease requires more detailed assessment. Before the test, doctors review kidney function, allergies and medicines such as diabetes tablets and blood thinners. Patients fast for several hours.

The test is performed under local anaesthesia, usually through the wrist, with the patient awake. The pictures show whether the arteries are narrowed and where. The procedure takes about thirty to sixty minutes, and recovery is brief. If a blockage needs treatment, angioplasty can sometimes be performed during the same visit, after discussion, and in other cases, bypass surgery or medicines are advised.

How the Procedure Can Help

It shows exactly where and how severe a blockage is, which allows the cardiologist and patient to choose the right treatment.

Risks and Considerations

Risks include bruising or bleeding at the entry site, reaction to dye, kidney strain, rhythm changes and, rarely, heart attack, stroke or injury to a vessel. Swelling, pain, numbness or bleeding at the entry site, or new chest pain, require urgent attention. Drinking fluids as advised helps clear the dye.