Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic and sometimes therapeutic procedure used to evaluate the heart's function and structures. It involves inserting a catheter, a thin, flexible tube, into a blood vessel and threading it to the heart. Once in place, various diagnostic tools and contrast dye are used to visualize the heart's chambers, valves, and blood vessels, and to measure pressures and flow rates within the heart. The procedure is typically performed to assess conditions such as coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, heart valve problems, and heart failure. It is commonly used to identify blockages or narrowing in the coronary arteries, which can lead to chest pain (angina) or heart attacks. Cardiac catheterization can also help evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, such as stenting or angioplasty, and guide further management decisions. Symptoms that may lead to cardiac catheterization include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormal stress test results, or unexplained heart symptoms. The procedure is also often used as part of the assessment before major heart surgery or to evaluate the need for interventions like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or balloon angioplasty. Complications from cardiac catheterization are relatively rare but can include infection, bleeding, or hematoma (a collection of blood outside of blood vessels) at the catheter insertion site. Other potential risks include allergic reactions to the contrast dye, kidney damage from the dye, and, in very rare cases, heart attack or stroke. There is also a risk of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) or vessel injury during the procedure.
Preparation for cardiac catheterization usually involves fasting for several hours before the procedure and may include specific instructions regarding medications. After the procedure, patients are monitored for a short period to ensure that there are no immediate complications. Most individuals can resume normal activities within a day or two, though they may need to avoid strenuous activities for a short time. Cardiac catheterization is a crucial tool in cardiology, offering detailed insights into heart health and guiding effective treatment strategies.
