What is the most common condition that necessitates cardiac catheterization?
Your doctor may perform cardiac catheterization to diagnose or evaluate:
- Causes of congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy.
- Coronary artery disease.
- Heart defects that are present at birth (congenital)
- High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
- Problems with the heart valves.
What are the indications for cardiac catheterization?
Indications
- Coronary artery disease.
- Measuring the hemodynamics in the right and left side of the heart.
- Evaluate the left ventricular function.
- Evaluation and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
- Evaluation and treatment of valvular heart disease.
- Assessment pericardial and myocardial diseases.
What is a catheter based treatment for heart disease?
In this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in the arm, neck, or groin and guides it to the heart using X-ray or ultrasound imaging. Then, he or she inserts small, specialized tools or devices through the catheter. These are used to correct the heart defect.
How serious is cardiac catheterization?
The most common risks of cardiac catheterization include bleeding or hematoma. Rare risks include reaction to contrast dye, impaired kidney function due to contrast dye, abnormal heart rhythm, and infection. Extremely rare complications (<1%) include heart attack, stroke, need for emergent cardiac surgery, and death.
What is a CAF lab?
A cardiac catheterization lab, also known as a “cardiac cath lab,” is a specialized area in the hospital where doctors perform minimally invasive tests and advanced cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.
What is the difference between an angiogram and a cardiac catheterization?
An angiogram is an x-ray test that uses a special iodine contrast dye and camera (fluoroscopy) to take pictures of the blood vessels. When it is used to visualize the heart arteries, is called a coronary angiogram or cardiac catheterization.
What are the contraindications of cardiac catheterization?
Contraindications to Cardiac Catheterization
- Acute kidney injury. read more.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Coagulopathy.
- Fever.
- Radiopaque contrast agent allergies.
- Systemic infection.
- Uncontrolled arrhythmia.
- Uncontrolled hypertension.
How many types of cardiac catheterization are there?
There are two main types of cardiac catheterization: Right heart catheterization (venous or flow-directed catheter): The catheter is inserted through a vein in the groin region or at the elbow and then advanced to the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
Is cardiac catheterization surgery?
Cardiac catheterization is not considered a surgical procedure because there is no large incision used to open the chest, and the recovery time is much shorter than that of surgery. In some cases, surgery may be recommended afterward, depending on the results of the procedure.
What procedures can be performed during a cardiac catheterization?
Procedures that might be done during your cardiac cath include:
- Angioplasty. Your doctor inserts a catheter with a tiny balloon at the tip.
- Biopsy. Your doctor takes a small sample of tissue from your heart.
- Repair of heart defects.
- Stent placement.
- Valve replacement.
Is a heart catheterization painful?
You might feel some pressure but shouldn’t feel pain. If you feel any pain, tell your health care providers. When the catheter is in place, they’ll dim the lights and insert a small amount of dye (also called contrast material) through the catheters into your arteries and heart chambers.
Why is it called a cath lab?
The procedures performed in a cath lab involve tiny, flexible tubes called catheters which is where the name is derived from. These catheters can be used as an alternative to surgery to access the heart and blood vessels.