What Is a Cardiovascular Cath Lab?
A cardiovascular catheterization lab, commonly called a cath lab, is a specialized clinical environment where physicians use imaging and minimally invasive catheter-based techniques to evaluate and treat certain heart and blood vessel conditions. During a cath lab procedure, a thin catheter is guided through a blood vessel—commonly from the wrist or groin—to examine blood flow, identify narrowing or blockages, and perform treatment when appropriate
At Florida Heart & Vascular Institute, cath lab care may include cardiac catheterization, coronary angioplasty and stenting, peripheral transluminal angioplasty (PTA), and atherectomy. The appropriate procedure depends on each patient’s symptoms, diagnostic findings, cardiovascular anatomy, medical history, and overall health.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease develops when plaque builds up within the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Narrowing or blockage can reduce blood flow and may cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or other cardiovascular symptoms. Cardiac catheterization can provide detailed information about the coronary arteries and help determine whether medical management, angioplasty, stenting, or another treatment may be appropriate.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, occurs when arteries outside the heart—commonly in the legs—become narrowed or blocked. Patients may experience leg pain while walking, numbness, coldness in the feet, changes in skin color, or wounds that are slow to heal. When clinically appropriate, catheter-based procedures such as peripheral angioplasty or atherectomy may be used to help improve blood flow.
Significant Arterial Narrowing
Some patients have arterial narrowing identified through cardiovascular imaging, stress testing, vascular studies, or other diagnostic evaluation. A cath lab procedure may provide more detailed information about the location and severity of disease and, in selected cases, allow treatment during the same procedural encounter when clinically appropriate.
Complex Arterial Plaque
Calcified or difficult-to-treat plaque can sometimes make standard angioplasty more challenging. In selected patients, atherectomy may be used to remove or modify plaque within a narrowed artery as part of a catheter-based treatment plan.
When You May Need a Cardiac Catheterization or Cath Lab Evaluation
A cath lab evaluation may be recommended when symptoms, physical findings, or previous cardiovascular testing suggest reduced blood flow to the heart or peripheral arteries. An FHVI cardiovascular specialist can review your symptoms and test results and determine whether cardiac catheterization or another catheter-based procedure may be appropriate.
Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation If You Have:
- Chest discomfort or pressure during activity
- New or worsening shortness of breath
- Chest symptoms that are becoming more frequent
- Reduced exercise tolerance or unexplained fatigue
- Known coronary artery disease with new or progressive symptoms
- New symptoms after a previous coronary stent or cardiac procedure
- Leg pain or cramping with walking
- Other symptoms suggesting reduced circulation
Cath Lab Evaluation May Also Be Recommended After:
- An abnormal or inconclusive stress test
- Abnormal cardiac imaging
- A cardiology evaluation suggesting coronary artery narrowing
- A diagnosis of peripheral artery disease
- Previous coronary intervention requiring additional assessment
- Diagnostic testing showing significant arterial narrowing
- Referral from a cardiologist for cardiac catheterization
Emergency Warning
Call 911 immediately for severe or persistent chest pain, chest pressure with sweating or nausea, severe shortness of breath, fainting, stroke-like symptoms, or other symptoms that may indicate a medical emergency. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Risks and Benefits of Cardiac Catheterization & Cath Lab Procedures
Cath lab procedures can provide detailed information about blood flow and, in selected cases, allow catheter-based treatment of narrowed or blocked arteries. The potential benefits and risks depend on the procedure being performed, the condition being treated, and each patient’s overall health. Before a procedure, your FHVI care team will review the expected benefits, potential risks, alternatives, and whether catheter-based treatment is appropriate for your individual needs.
Benefits
- Direct Evaluation of Arteries Cardiac catheterization can provide detailed information about the location and severity of arterial narrowing or blockage.
- Targeted Treatment Selected blockages may be treated with angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, or other catheter-based techniques when appropriate.
- Minimally Invasive Approach Cath lab procedures generally use a small vascular access point rather than a traditional surgical incision
- Improved Blood Flow When treatment is appropriate, catheter-based procedures may help improve circulation through narrowed arteries.
- Individualized Treatment Planning Findings can help your cardiovascular specialist determine the most appropriate next step in care.
Risks
- Bleeding or Bruising Bleeding or bruising may occur at the catheter access site.
- Contrast Reaction or Kidney Stress Contrast material may cause an allergic reaction or affect kidney function in susceptible patients.
- Blood Vessel Injury Rarely, a catheter or treatment device may injure a blood vessel.
- Heart Rhythm Changes Some procedures can temporarily affect heart rhythm.
- Rare Serious Complications Heart attack, stroke, significant bleeding, or other serious complications can occur but are uncommon and should be discussed before treatment.
Concerned About a Heart or Artery Blockage?
If you have chest discomfort, an abnormal cardiac test, known coronary artery disease, or symptoms of reduced circulation, FHVI can help determine whether cardiac catheterization or another cath lab procedure may be appropriate.
Diagnostic & Interventional Catheter-Based Procedures
Coronary Procedures
These procedures are used to evaluate coronary blood flow and treat selected narrowing or blockages in the arteries that supply the heart.
Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure used to evaluate blood flow through the coronary arteries and identify narrowing or blockages. The findings can help guide treatment decisions based on the severity and location of coronary artery disease.
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Angioplasty
Coronary Stent Placement
Coronary Atherectomy
Peripheral Vascular Procedures
Selected catheter-based procedures may be used to improve blood flow in narrowed or blocked arteries outside the heart, including arteries in the legs and other peripheral circulation.
Peripheral Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)
Peripheral Atherectomy
Mechanical Thrombectomy
Structural Heart Procedures
FHVI also provides selected catheter-based procedures for valve disease, structural heart conditions, and stroke-risk reduction when clinically appropriate.
TAVR
MitraClip / TEER
Watchman / Left Atrial Appendage Closure
ASD & PFO Closure
How We Evaluate Coronary & Vascular Blockages
Your cardiovascular evaluation may include one or more tests to better understand your symptoms, blood flow, and overall heart and vascular health. The specific tests recommended will depend on your medical history, previous results, and the condition being investigated.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) — records the electrical activity of the heart and may help identify rhythm or conduction changes.
- Echocardiogram — uses ultrasound to evaluate heart structure, pumping function, and valve movement.
- Stress testing — evaluates how the heart responds to exercise or medication-induced stress and may help identify reduced blood flow.
- Cardiac imaging — provides additional information about heart structure, function, and circulation when needed.
- Vascular Doppler ultrasound — evaluates blood flow through peripheral arteries and may help identify narrowing or blockages.
- Laboratory testing — may be used to review kidney function, blood counts, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other measurements relevant to procedure planning.
- Cardiac catheterization / coronary angiography — provides a detailed evaluation of the coronary arteries when more precise information is needed.
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Experienced Providers for Catheter-Based Cardiovascular Care
Dr. Asad Qamar, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 30+ Years of Experience
- Founder & CEO
Claudio F. Manubens, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 25+ Years Experience
- Former Chief of Cardiology
David Edmund Ruggieri, MD
Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 30+ Years Experience
- Interventional Cardiology
Jihad A. Mustapha, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 20+ Years Experience
- Vascular & Limb Salvage Expert
Syed Imran Ali, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 20+ Years of Experience
- Peripheral Vascular Specialist
Jeveria Ali, DNP
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Board-Certified AGACNP
- 20+ Years Experience
- Cardiovascular & Acute Care
Tanya M. Johnson, ARNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
- Licensed APRN
- 25+ Years of Experience
- Primary & Preventive Care
Find an FHVI Cardiovascular Cath Lab Location
Request Your Appointment
Complete the form below with your preferred cardiologist, location, and reason for visit. An FHVI team member will contact you to confirm availability and next steps.
Trusted Cardiovascular Care Since 1997
Serving Patients Since 1997
Decades of cardiovascular care experience have shaped a patient-first approach focused on quality, continuity, and trust.
Physician-Led Cardiovascular Care
Our physicians stay closely involved in evaluation, treatment planning, and follow-up.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
Modern cardiac and vascular testing supports accurate evaluation and informed care decisions.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Care recommendations are based on each patient’s symptoms, medical history, diagnostic findings, and individual needs.
Minimally Invasive Care Options
When appropriate, FHVI offers catheter-based and other minimally invasive treatment options for selected cardiovascular conditions.
Coordinated Care Across Florida
Multiple FHVI locations help patients access cardiovascular evaluation, testing, treatment, and follow-up closer to home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin catheter and specialized imaging to evaluate blood flow through the coronary arteries and identify narrowing or blockages.
Your cardiologist may recommend cardiac catheterization if symptoms or previous testing suggest possible coronary artery disease, reduced blood flow, or another condition requiring more detailed evaluation.
Coronary angiography is commonly performed during cardiac catheterization. Contrast material is used to create images of the coronary arteries so the cardiologist can identify narrowing or blockages.
In selected patients, angioplasty or stent placement may be performed during the same procedural encounter when clinically appropriate. Whether treatment is performed depends on the findings, clinical situation, and treatment plan.
Coronary angioplasty is a catheter-based procedure that uses a small balloon to open a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. A stent may also be placed to help maintain blood flow.
A coronary stent is a small mesh-like device placed within a narrowed artery to help keep it open after angioplasty.
Peripheral angioplasty is a catheter-based procedure used to treat selected narrowed or blocked arteries outside the heart, commonly in the legs.
Atherectomy is a specialized catheter-based technique used in selected patients to remove or reduce plaque within a narrowed artery.
Local anesthesia and medications for comfort may be used during the procedure. Patients may experience pressure or other sensations, and the care team will explain what to expect before the procedure.
Procedure time varies depending on whether the catheterization is diagnostic only or whether additional treatment is performed. Your care team will provide a more specific estimate based on the planned procedure.
Recovery varies based on the procedure, vascular access site, treatment performed, and overall health. Your care team will provide individualized instructions about activity, medications, access-site care, and follow-up.
Potential risks include bleeding or bruising, contrast reaction, kidney stress, blood vessel injury, abnormal heart rhythms, and uncommon but serious complications such as heart attack or stroke.
Referral and authorization requirements vary by insurance plan and clinical situation. Contact FHVI or your insurance provider to confirm your specific requirements.
FHVI accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and many major commercial insurance plans. Coverage and authorization requirements vary by plan and procedure, so benefits should be verified before treatment.