Cardiac Catheterization�is a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions. A long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck and directed to the heart. Using the catheter, doctors can perform diagnostic tests and necessary treatments on the heart.

The patient is made to lie on a table in�Catheterization�room. After administering a local anesthetic a catheter is inserted through a wide needle or small cut in the skin into a blood vessel in the groin or arm. The catheter is gently pushed up the blood vessel towards the heart. Low dose X-rays, monitor the progress of the catheter tip which is gently manipulated into the heart chambers (ventricles and atria)�and/or coronary arteries.

On a normal case one will not be able to feel the catheter, but could feel an occasional skip in heartbeat which is normal and expected. The heartbeat is monitored by electrodes placed on your chest which provide a tracing on an ECG machine. A sedative can be given to reduce anxiety if needed.

The catheter is slowly pulled out towards the end of the test. If there was an incision in the skin, it would be closed with sutures and suitable pressure will be applied over the site of insertion for about 10 minutes to prevent any bleeding.

Coronary Angiography
This is the most common test using the Cardiac catheter which is used to show the structure of the coronary arteries to detect any narrowing of the coronary arteries, and the exact site and severity of the narrowing. These are the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. A restriction can lead to less blood and oxygen gets to the heart muscle and can lead to cause angina, heart failure and other heart conditions.

Once the tip of the catheter is just inside a main coronary artery a suitable dye that can be seen on an X-ray is injected into the artery. The X-ray films are recorded as a moving picture and this is called an�angiogram. The angiogram shows the vessels filling with blood and the sites of any narrowing can be seen.

A cardiac catheter can also be used to measure the blood pressure within the heart chambers. Pressure on either side of a heart valve can be measured by placing the catheter tip in different positions within the heart chambers to determine the valve function. It can also be used to determine the ventricular contraction. Blood sampling can be done from different portions in the heart suing a catheter in a specific location.

The catheter tip when fitted with a tiny balloon tiny balloon can inflate to widen narrowed heart valves (Valvuoplasty) or narrowed coronary arteries (angioplasty). Catheter ablation is another procedure where a device at the catheter tip can destroy a tiny section of heart tissue to treat arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).�Cardiac catheterization�is commonly done to assess the heart of children and babies with certain types of congenital heart disease.

Pre-operative management.

• Certain restrictions would be discussed which include
• Stopping of blood thinning agents if any.
• To avoid any food for a few hours before the procedure.

The procedure normally takes about half an hour. In most of the cases the patient can be discharged the same day. However, certain procedures using a cardiac catheter can take longer, and some people need to stay in hospital for a short time. There would be some soreness in the area where the catheter is inserted. Pain killers can be used to ease the situation. Sutures if any will be removed in seven days.

Potential risks or side-effects may include:

• Bruise under the skin where the catheter was inserted (groin)
• Infection in the insertion site
• Angina-type pain during the procedure
• Allergic reactions to the dye
• A heart attack during the procedure
• Damage to the coronary artery
• Stroke

Hospital stay of would typically be for about 8 days.

The other major cardiac procedures are:

• Heart Valve Replacement
  
• CABG
  
• Coronary Angioplasty
  
• VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) Closures�etc

Few popular hospitals for Cardiac Catheterization are:

• Narayana Hrudayalaya
  
• Wockhardt Hospitals
  
• Artemis Hospital
  
• Bangkok Hospital Medical Center
  
• Florence Nightingale Hospital
  

India,�Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey�and�Thailand�are the most cost effective locations that offer up to almost 80% savings in comparison to the US.

SurgeryPlanet�facilitates a plethora of services to the medical treatment traveler also which includes, a hassle free and discounted travel option, a welcome hand at the airport on arrival, travel in an air-conditioned car, round the clock service & support. Your medical evaluation is pre arranged with the least of waiting time. Once your assessment is complete and found medically fit for the cardiac procedure, you are scheduled without a waiting period. Please read through our Services and Testimonials to understand and select your best options.

• India�
  
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Turkey