What Is a Cardiac Cath Lab?
If your doctor recommends a visit to the cardiac cath lab, you may feel nervous or unsure about what it means. At Saint Michael’s Medical Center, our goal is to help you understand the process so you can feel confident and prepared.
“For many patients, the cath lab is where we get the answers we need and often where we can fix the problem right away,” says Dr. Abbas Shehadeh, Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Saint Michael’s Medical Center. “Our goal is to use the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques available to help patients recover faster and get back to their lives.”
A cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab) is a specialized procedure room where heart specialists diagnose and treat heart disease using thin tubes called catheters inserted through a blood vessel, usually in the wrist or groin. These procedures allow doctors to see how your heart works and, in many cases, treat the problem during the same visit.
What Happens in a Cardiac Cath Lab?
Using live imaging, doctors can:
- Check blood flow to the heart
- Find blocked or narrowed arteries
- Measure pressure inside the heart
- Evaluate heart valve function
- Treat certain heart conditions immediately
Why You Might Need a Cardiac Catheterization
Your doctor may recommend a cath lab procedure if you have:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or low energy
- Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Swelling in legs or abdomen
- Pain in chest, arm, or shoulder during activity
These tests help your care team quickly determine the cause and choose the best treatment.
Heart Procedures Offered at Saint Michael’s Medical Center
Diagnostic Testing
- Coronary angiography
- Right and left heart catheterization
Restoring Blood Flow
- Balloon angioplasty
- Coronary stent placement
Structural Heart & Valve Care
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- Mitral valve repair (MitraClip)
- Patent Foramen Ovale or Atrial Septal Defect closure
Heart Rhythm Treatment
- Catheter ablation
- Pacemaker and defibrillator placement
- WATCHMAN device for stroke prevention
Learn how our Cath Lab team uses the WATCHMAN device to help protect AFib patients from stroke while helping many avoid lifelong blood-thinning medications.
Benefits of Cath Lab Procedures
Compared with traditional open-heart surgery, cardiac catheterization offers:
- Minimally invasive treatment
- Less pain and smaller incisions
- Faster recovery
- Often same-day or next-day discharge
- Diagnosis and treatment in one visit
Many patients return to normal activities within a few days.
Preparing for Your Procedure
Most patients should plan to:
- Avoid eating the morning of the procedure (if instructed)
- Take medications only as directed
- Arrange a ride home
- Bring a small overnight bag just in case
After the Procedure
You will recover in a monitored area. Most patients experience:
- Mild soreness or bruising at the insertion site
- Activity restrictions for 24–48 hours
- Clear discharge instructions before going home
Your doctor will review your results and next steps before discharge.
Advanced Heart Care and Clinical Trials
Saint Michael’s Medical Center is a recognized leader in cardiac care, combining advanced technology, experienced specialists, and compassionate patient-centered treatment.
Saint Michael’s is participating in the national EMPOWER Trial, led here by Dr. Addi Suleiman, Program Director of the Cardiology Fellowship. EMPOWER is a randomized, blinded study evaluating the Carillon Mitral Contour System, a catheter-delivered implant placed in the coronary vein that gently reshapes the mitral valve annulus to reduce functional mitral regurgitation.
The study evaluates whether the device, combined with guideline-directed heart failure therapy, improves symptoms, exercise tolerance, and heart function in carefully selected patients. Participants are closely monitored throughout the study.
Saint Michael’s is also a major site for advanced national and international cardiovascular trials, providing access to innovative devices and medications under rigorous research oversight.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Call 911 immediately if you experience:
- Chest pain
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe shortness of breath
Schedule a Heart Evaluation
If you have symptoms of heart disease or your doctor recommended testing, our heart team is here to help.
Call (973) 877-5080 to schedule an appointment.
