Procedure for Heart Evaluation: Insights, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Additional Information
Cardiac catheterization is a crucial medical procedure used to examine the heart and its blood vessels. This diagnostic and therapeutic process offers a comprehensive look into the heart's structure and function, helping doctors to diagnose and treat a range of heart conditions.
The Procedure
The cardiac catheterization process begins with the person preparing for the procedure. They will be asked to remove all jewelry, empty their bladder, and change into a hospital gown. Before the procedure begins, the healthcare professional will puncture the skin using a needle and insert a sheath, which is a plastic tube that helps to insert the catheter.
There are two main types of cardiac catheterization: right heart catheterization (RHC) and left heart catheterization (LHC). During RHC, a healthcare professional inserts a catheter into a blood vessel to access the right side of the heart, helping to measure blood pressure and oxygen levels. On the other hand, during LHC, the healthcare professional inserts the catheter into an artery to enter the left side of the heart, often to conduct angiography to determine how blocked the coronary arteries are.
Throughout the procedure, the person will be connected to an electrocardiogram machine and several screens will show their vitals, the images of the catheter, and the structures of the heart. Different tools may be placed at the tip of the catheter, including instruments to measure blood pressure, an imaging device, a tool to take blood samples, an instrument to take a biopsy, and more.
Additional Procedures and Tests
Common additional procedures and tests performed during cardiac catheterization include coronary angiography to visualize blockages or narrowings in the coronary arteries, measurement of blood pressures in the heart chambers and major vessels, cardiac output measurement, endomyocardial biopsy (heart tissue sampling), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), balloon angioplasty, stent implantation, atherectomy, blood sampling from different heart chambers, pressure measurements, and oxygen saturation tests. These tests and procedures are often done during the same cardiac catheterization session to provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.
When is Cardiac Catheterization Required?
A person may require cardiac catheterization if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, extreme fatigue, or if a heart screening exam suggests that the heart needs exploration. Cardiac catheterization can help diagnose conditions such as atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, heart failure, heart valve disease, and heart attack.
Risks and Preparation
Cardiac catheterization carries risks such as bleeding or bruising, allergic reactions to the contrast dye, abnormal heart rhythms, infection, impaired kidney function, stroke, heart attack, and a need for heart surgery. It's essential to discuss preparation with a doctor, including any medications, allergies, and medical conditions the person may have.
Before the procedure, the healthcare professional will inject a local anesthetic, which may cause a brief stinging sensation. The entire procedure can take approximately an hour, but it may vary depending on the tests being conducted. The cardiac catheterization procedure takes place in a hospital or outpatient facility catheterization laboratory.
In summary, cardiac catheterization is not only diagnostic but also therapeutic, allowing direct visualization, pressure and flow measurements, tissue sampling, and intervention on coronary and other heart-related vessels, tailored to each patient's condition. Additional cardiac tests related to the catheterization process but sometimes performed separately include echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac MRI, and stress testing, which help assess heart structure and function before or after catheterization.
Heart conditions, such as atherosclerosis or cardiomyopathy, can be diagnosed through cardiac catheterization, a comprehensive medical-condition examination that offers a detailed look into the heart's structure and function. This science-driven technique can also treat diseases like heart valve disease by employing additional procedures like balloon angioplasty or stent implantation. Regular heart health and wellness check-ups, which may uncover symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain, might prompt the need for cardiovascular procedures like cardiac catheterization.
