What is cardiac catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization, also known as a cardiac cath or coronary angiogram, is an invasive imaging procedure used to evaluate the function of the heart and the coronary arteries. It is used to identify the size and location of plaque buildup in the arteries caused by atherosclerosis, as well as to assess the strength of the heart muscle and the function of the valves.
During the procedure, a thin, flexible catheter is threaded through a blood vessel in the arm or groin and into the heart. This allows the interventional cardiologist to measure blood pressure, check the pressure in the heart chambers, and take blood samples to measure the oxygen content in the heart chambers. The cardiologist can also inject dye into the coronary arteries or other arteries in the body to trace the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels. This helps them to see whether the arteries are narrowed or blocked, and whether the valves are working properly.
Patients are typically awake during the procedure and are given medications to help them relax. Recovery time for a cardiac catheterization is relatively quick, and the risk of complications is low. The procedure can diagnose chest pain or an abnormal heart rhythm, evaluate heart muscle function, check pulmonary arteries for issues, and determine the need for further treatment, such as the placement of a stent to open a blockage in an artery or to diagnose other heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, mitral valve regurgitation, or pulmonary hypertension
