Cardiac catheterization and angiography are relatively safe, but because they are invasive procedures involving the heart, several complications are possible. Nobody should have a cardiac catheterization unless there is a reasonable likelihood that the information gained from the procedure will be of significant benefit.
Minor complications of cardiac catheterization include minor bleeding at the site of catheter insertion, temporary heart rhythm disturbances caused by the catheter irritating the heart muscle, and temporary changes in the blood pressure.
More significant complications include perforation of the heart wall (causing a life-threatening condition called cardiac tamponade), sudden blockage of a coronary artery (leading to a heart attack), extensive bleeding, stroke, or an allergic reaction to the dye used in angiography.
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