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Cardiac catheterization is a procedure that diagnoses and treats various cardiovascular conditions. The procedure helps your doctor know the state of your arteries and highlight any need for repair. A cardiologist in Riverside, CA, completes the procedures through the arteries of the wrist.
What is cardiac catheterization?
During cardiac catheterization, the doctor places a small, flexible catheter into the blood vessel in the arm, groin, or neck. Then it is threaded through the blood vessels into the heart and in the aorta. The doctor can place the catheter in different heart top parts to determine the pressure in the heart chambers or pick blood samples to determine the oxygen levels.
The doctor guides the catheter into coronary arteries and injects different dyes to evaluate blood flow through them. This is known as coronary angiography.
Procedures done after cardiac catheterization
Angioplasty. In this method, the doctor can fill a balloon at the end of the catheter. This presses plaques that accumulate against the artery wall and increases blood flow through the artery.
Stent placement. In this method, the doctor expands a small metal mesh tube or coil at the end of the catheter in an artery to make it stay open.
Fractional flow reserve. It is a pressure management method that is used to blockage the amount in the artery.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The test uses a transducer and a computer to send ultrasonic sound waves to make blood vessel images. Using IVUS, your doctor can view and measure the interior of the blood vessels.
A small sample of heart tissue. It’s called a biopsy. The doctor can take out tiny tissue samples and test them under a microscope for any abnormalities.
Why you might need a cardiac catheterization
Atherosclerosis. It’s a steady clogging of the arteries by materials with many fats and other substances in your bloodstream.
Cardiomyopathy. It is an enlargement of the heart because of the weakening or thickening of heart muscles.
Congenital heart disease. Defects in more heart structures that occur during fetal developments, like a ventricular septal defect, are known as congenital heart defects. This can lead to unusual blood flow in the heart.
Heart failure. It’s a condition where the heart muscles become too weak to pump blood perfectly, causing fluid congestion in the lungs and blood vessels and swelling in the ankles, feet, and other parts of the body.
Risk factors of cardiac catheterization
If you are pregnant, tell the doctor to avoid the risk of injury to the fetus. Radiation during pregnancy can lead to congenital disabilities. And be sure to inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or lactating.
There are risks for allergic reactions if the dye is used during cardiac catheterization. If you are too sensitive or allergic to medicines, iodine, latex, or contrast dye, tell your doctor. Also, don’t forget to tell your doctor if you have kidney failure.
Some people find it hard to lie on a cardiac cath table during the procedure because it causes pain and discomfort. Other risks are depending on a specific medical condition.
The cardiac catheterization procedure takes less time, but recovery is longer. When you get complications after the procedure, don’t hesitate to see your doctor for further medication or treatment. Advanced Cardiovascular Care center has the best cardiologists who are well experienced in performing cardiac catheterization—scheduled an appointment with them today.
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