Cardiac Catheterization

The Heart Center at Halifax Health Medical Center offers complete diagnostic resources including four cardiac procedure rooms where diagnostic cardiac catheterizations (cardiac caths) are performed. A cardiac cath involves the insertion of a catheter (long, thin tube) into a blood vessel, usually in the groin. Under x-ray guidance, the catheter is then advanced into the heart. When in place, x-ray contrast dye can be injected through the catheter allowing moving x-ray images of the heart valves, coronary arteries and chambers of the heart.

Heart Catheterization

During the heart catheterization procedure, the physician will be able to determine the extent of heart disease and what other treatments such as angioplasty, insertion of a stent or heart surgery might be needed.