A cardiac catheterization is a visual heart test conducted by a cardiologist. It enables the physician to observe the heart's blood flow and study the condition of blood vessels and the presence or absence of obstructions. This assists the physician in making appropriate treatment recommendations. Once scheduled by your physician, Cardiac catheterizations are performed on a same-day basis. The procedure takes place in a special surgical environment designed specifically for cardiac catheterizations.
Patient recovery takes place within the same area under the care of cardiac specialists.
Family and friends monitor your recovery from a nearby lounge. The new Cardiac Catheterization Lab is located on the critical care floor of Raritan Bay's Perth Amboy Division, adjacent to the Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit and new Cardiology wing. Most inpatient and outpatient cardiac testing will be available at this location so that patients will be more comfortable and all the information will be accessible to the physician. The Cardiac Catheterization Lab consists of a procedure room with adjacent control room, a three-bed recovery room, observation room, nurses station, a chemical room for film developing and a cineroom for doctors to review films and dictate their reports. Cardiologists perform cardiac catheterizations when they need pictures of the blood vessels that supply blood directly to heart muscle.