Q. What exactly is the cath lab procedure?

The term "catheter" refers to a long thin tube that is used by medical professionals during cath lab procedures to access the heart or other regions in the body. A tiny incision is made often in the arm neck or upper thigh and the catheter is threaded through the blood vessels after being put into the incision. In many cases more extensive surgical intervention is unnecessary after a catheterization. You will be given a moderate sedative to help you rest but you are going to be fully awake and aware during the whole treatment. Your healthcare practitioner will provide a local anaesthetic to the area where the catheter will be inserted in order to numb it.