In some situations, a catheter-based procedure offers a minimally invasive and relatively inexpensive treatment alternative to surgery. During the procedure, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel through a very small cut made by the physician, then guided up through the blood vessel to the target area (e.g., the heart).

The physician tracks the course of the catheter by watching it on a fluoroscope, which displays the progress of the catheter through blood vessels on a viewing screen. Once the catheter has reached its location, the physician performs whatever procedure is planned. Catheters may be equipped with various special devices, such as balloons, baskets or suction devices, which allow physicians to open clogged arteries or otherwise treat medical conditions. More than one catheter-based procedure may be performed during the same intervention.

After the completion of the necessary procedure(s), the catheter is removed and the incision is either closed with stitches or with newer absorbable collagen plugs. After a closely monitored recovery period, most patients go home within 24 hours. Patients with collagen plugs may be allowed to leave the hospital within two hours after their procedure.