Is cardiology consultation required before cardiac catheterization?

Background: In many hospitals, internists have begun to directly refer patients for cardiac catheterization without a prior cardiology consultation. The purpose of this study is to compare the results of a policy of mandatory consultation prior to catheterization with one of optional consultation. Methods: One hundred seventy-five consecutive patients who underwent catheterization with a prior cardiology consultation (closed group) were compared to 175 patients who underwent the procedure without a prior mandatory consultation (open group).