A catheterization lab, commonly known as a cath lab, is an examination room in a hospital, clinic, or diagnostic centre where several types of tests and procedures like ablation, angiogram, angioplasty, implantation of pacemakers, etc. are performed. However, a cath lab is not an operation theatre. Heart surgeries like heart bypass operation are carried out in an operation theatre under general anaesthesia. Whereas the patients in a cath lab might be awake and will not be under general anaesthesia while the procedures are carried out. A cath lab is usually managed by a group of different specialists who will be led by a cardiologist.

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure performed to diagnose and treat certain types of cardiovascular diseases. A thin long tube called a catheter is inserted in an artery or vein or groin during this procedure. It is then threaded through the blood vessels to the heart. Cardiac catheterization also acts as a treatment for some cardiac problems like coronary angioplasty, and coronary stenting. In short, this procedure is sometimes performed to detect cardiac problems and sometimes to correct cardiac problems. This process involves less pain, low risk and fast recovery time.
You might be advised by your cardiologist not to eat or drink anything at least 6 hours before the test. Instructions about your ongoing medications will be provided by your doctor beforehand. Like mentioned before, the patient might be awake during the procedure. However, a small amount of sedation can be administered. The entry site of the catheter will be provided with local anaesthesia prior to the process. Most of the time, the patients are able to go home the same day of the procedure itself.

Coming to the cath labs in India, the hybrid cath lab at The Heart Hospital by Specialist Hospital is the first of its kind in the East Bangalore region. The laboratory offers state-of-the-art technology that allows multiple specialists to treat the patient at one time. The Specialist Hospital has an intervention cath-lab, 10 bedded state-of-the-art CCU and advanced non-invasive assessment with Echo, TMT, Holter & ABP Machines. Our team of experts are able to harness technology to deliver the finest care to patients from across the country