A catheterization laboratory or cath lab is an examination room in a hospital or clinic with diagnostic imaging equipment used to support the catheterization outpatient procedure. The actual left heart cath procedure usually takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. An additional 10 to 15 minutes are needed if the patient requires right heart catheterization. Approximately three to four hours after the procedure, the patient gets out of bed. The patient is usually discharged within six hours of the procedure unless additional treatment or procedures are required. A little soreness and a Band-Aid are usually the only traces of the procedure. Some patients may display a bruise at the site.