Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization consists of inserting catheters that reach the heart in order to evaluate its anatomy, the coronary arteries, and its function, measure the pressure in the cardiac chambers, and determine whether any heart valve is altered. In addition to allowing the diagnosis of certain heart diseases, it makes it possible to detect congenital heart defects, atrial or ventricular communications, measure oxygen levels in different areas of the heart, and perform biopsies.

What is it used for?

Cardiac catheterization is used to diagnose certain heart diseases, but also to treat some of them.

The treatments that can be performed with cardiac catheterization include:

• Placement of stents in coronary arteries that have narrowed or become obstructed
• Closure of blood vessels that did not close before birth, known as a patent ductus arteriosus
• Implantation of aortic prostheses
• Implantation of prostheses to treat heart defects present from birth, some of the so-called congenital heart diseases

How is it performed?

This procedure is carried out in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, where the patient must remain very still throughout the intervention, lying on the examination table.

Before starting the catheterization, the area is disinfected—either the groin (femoral artery/vein) or the wrist. Then, a puncture is made with local anesthesia, and the catheter is introduced through the mentioned access points until it reaches the heart. A contrast agent is injected through the device.

Using radiologic equipment, the correct placement of the catheters is checked, and the healthcare professionals can visualize the arteries, veins, and heart chambers, assess their function, and, if necessary, implant intracoronary prostheses, stents, or other devices.

Once the examination is completed, a compression system is applied to the puncture site.

Risks

Bruising is common, and less frequently bleeding at the puncture site, pain, chest angina, or arrhythmias may occur, as well as abdominal bleeding if the catheter is introduced through the groin.