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Cardiac Catheterization

Overview

Cardiac catheterization, also called heart catheterization, is a test used to diagnose and treat many heart (cardiovascular) and blood vessel (vascular) conditions. In cardiac catheterization, a doctor with training in heart conditions (cardiologist) inserts a long, thin flexible tube (catheter) into an artery in your groin, arm or neck and guides it to your heart using X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy). Often, your doctor injects a dye into the catheter, which makes the blood vessels appear on an X-ray (angiogram).

Why choose Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic was among the first centers in the world to develop and use diagnostic techniques through cardiac catheterization. Doctors outside Mayo Clinic refer thousands of people who have heart disorders to Mayo Clinic's cardiac catheterization laboratories every year.

At Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, doctors trained in treating children who have heart diseases (pediatric cardiologists) perform cardiac catheterization in children. A magnetic navigation system at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota allows doctors to treat complex coronary artery blockages, including cases in which standard technology failed to open a blocked artery in the past.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for heart and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals for heart and heart surgery.

Read more about cardiac catheterization at www.MayoClinic.com.

Related book: Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life! book provides an easy-to-follow plan to prevent and conquer heart disease.

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