Cardiac catheterization also called cardiac cath, or coronary angiogram is an invasive imaging procedure that allows evaluating your heart function. Today healthy hearts will guide you what Cardiac catheterization uses to:
- Evaluate the presence of coronary artery disease, valve disease or aortic disease
- Evaluate the purpose of the heart muscles
- Determine the requirement for further treatment such as an interventional procedure or coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG, surgery
During cardiac catheterization, a catheter inserts into an artery or vein in your groin, neck, or arm region. This catheter is guided through your blood vessel until it reaches the heart. Once the catheter is in place, one can use it to run diagnostic tests. For example, you can inject a dye through the catheter that allows looking at the vessels and chambers of the heart with the use of a particular X-ray machine.
The need for cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization, generally used to diagnose a cardiac problem or to determine a potential cause of chest pain. During the procedure:
- The presence of a congenital heart defect (a defect present at birth) can be confirmed
- We can check narrowed or blocked blood vessels that could cause chest pain.
- Look at problems with your heart valves.
- The amount of oxygen in your heart can be measured (hemodynamic assessment)
- The pressure inside your heart can be measured.
- Perform a tissue biopsy from your heart.
- The need for further treatment can be evaluated and determined.
Stages of the procedure
Position the catheter by a short, hollow, plastic cover called a sheath. Once a catheter is in place, your doctor would proceed with the tests needed to diagnose your condition. Depending on the requirement, your doctor may perform one of the following procedures:
- Coronary angiogram: Inject a contrast material or dye through the catheter in this procedure. Use an X-ray machine to watch the dye as it travels through your arteries, heart’s chambers, valves, and vessels to check for blockages or narrowing in your arteries.
- Heart biopsy: Takes a sample of heart tissue (biopsy) for further testing.
- Or perform an additional procedure if you discover a potentially life-threatening during the catheterization. These procedures include:
- Ablation: This procedure treats heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). The energy in the form of heat (radio-frequency energy) or cold (nitrous oxide or laser) uses to destroy heart tissue and stop the irregular heart rhythm.
- Angioplasty: Inserts a tiny inflatable balloon into the artery in this procedure. Then expand the balloon to widen a narrowed or blocked artery.
- Balloon Valvuloplasty: A balloon-tipped catheter is inflated into narrowed heart valves to help open the restricted space.
- Thrombectomy (blood clot treatment): A catheter is used in this procedure to remove blood clots that could potentially dislodge and travel to organs or tissue.
During the catheterization, patients sometimes need to:
- Hold breath
- Take deep breaths
- Cough
- Place your arms in various positions.
All of this will help your healthcare team get a better image of your heart and arteries.
Benefits
Cardiac catheterization can help your doctor to diagnose and treat problems that might otherwise cause severe issues, such as a heart attack or stroke. We can prevent a heart attack and a future stroke; if your doctor can correct any problems discovered during the procedure.
Risks
The procedure that involves your heart comes with a particular set of risks. Cardiac catheterization is a relatively low chance, and very few people have any problems. The dangers of complications, though rare, are more severe in the case of patients suffering from diabetes or kidney disease, or if they are 75 years or older. The risks associated with catheterization include:
- Hypersensitivity to the contrast material or medications used during the procedure
- The catheter insertion site may have bleeding, infection, and bruising.
- Heart attack, stroke, or another severe problem due to blood clots
- Damage to the arteries during the traveling of the catheter through your body
- Damage to the artery where the catheter presents
- Arrhythmias
- Contrast material may cause kidney damage.
- Hypertension
- Heart tissue can be injured.
