Cardiac catheterization laboratory

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Photograph of a person during cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory ("cath lab") by a cardiologist.

You will lie on a flat table under a large X-ray machine. Several small metal leads (electrodes) will be attached to your legs and arms with a special paste or gel. These leads are connected to an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) machine that continuously records the electrical activity of your heart during the test.

Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated: 09/13/2007

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