"Know Your Heart Series", Diagnostic Testing, The Cardiac Catheterization

The Cardiac Catheterization is a specialized diagnostic test that provides a wide range of diverse information on the heart's health. The information includes the health of the coronary arteries, the pumping function of the heart, the structural integrity of of the heart valves, as well as being able to evaluate for the presence of congenital heart defects. The procedure is performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. A flexible catheter is introduced into an artery in the groin or the arm. The catheter is used to visualize the coronary arteries, and to evaluate the chambers of the heart for their pumping function, as well as view the function of the heart valves. It is also possible to evaluate for the presence of a congenital heart defect (ASD, PFO). After the filming is completed, decisions are made as to whether a therapeutic intervention (stenting, thrombectomy, or others) needs to be done at that time. The catheter is removed, and the arterial access site is closed with an arterial "Closure Device". The patient is monitored for a period of time thereafter for any procedural complications. The films are stored as a digital file, and are available for future reference.

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• cardiac catheterization
• coronary arteries
• heart valves
• congenital heart defects
• ejection fraction
• pumping function
• coronary artery disease