The Catheterisation Laboratory, commonly referred to as the Cath Lab, is an examination room in the hospital with diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualize the arteries of the heart and the chambers of the heart.
The Catheterisation Laboratory is staffed by multidisciplinary team, usually led by a cardiologist.
While a cardiac catheterization usually takes about 30 minutes, the preparation and recovery time add several hours. Patients should plan on being at the hospital all day and should make sure someone is available to drive them home after the procedure. If a stent is implanted, the patient will more often than not stay overnight.