Guide to Cardiac Catheterization, Angioplasty, and Stent Implantation

Arterial catheterization is a procedure used to detect the presence of disease in the peripheral arteries which include carotid arteries in the neck, renal/ aortic /iliac / mesenteric vessels in the abdomen, and arm and leg vessels. A small needle in placed in your wrist/foot/or groin artery after you are sedated and with local anesthesia. If blockages are detected these arteries may be opened through a procedure known as “angioplasty”, “atherectomy” or “stent implantation.” A diagnostic catheterization may be performed as an outpatient procedure initially but sometimes both diagnosis and treatment are done on the same day.

Before the Procedure

• We will be in contact with your referring physician to confirm that you had the appropriate pre-procedure tests, including blood tests (complete blood count with platelets, biochemistry profile, PT/PTT/INR). Additional information will be requested, such as reports of echocardiograms, prior agrams and treatments and surgeries.
• A representative from the Southern Vascular of Panama City Catheterization Laboratory will contact you prior to your procedure to verify your information and confirm the procedure date and time.
• You should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the evening prior to your procedure except sips of water with your medications (unless otherwise told by our staff). You should not drink coffee or any caffeinated drinks/beverages the day before and the morning of the procedure. Diabetics should not take any of their insulin the morning of the procedure.