The catheterization procedure can also be used to deliver therapy for many cardiac conditions.
Therapeutic Uses
Often, cardiac catheterization is useful in the treatment of heart problems.
You and your healthcare provider can discuss which one(s) is right for you.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Serious and less common complications include:
In addition, cardiac catheterization and angiography involve exposure to radiation.
Cardiac catheterization for the treatment of coronary artery disease is less invasive than open-heart surgery.
Complications and emergencies that result from a diagnostic or therapeutic catheterization and angiography may require emergency open-heart surgery.
For both, you will need to have an IV placed and you will receive an anesthetic.
You may or may not be awake during the procedure.
Location
A cardiac catheterization with an angiogram is performed in a special cardiac procedure suite.
Some hospitals do not perform cardiac surgery.
In this case, if emergency surgery is required, you will be transferred to another hospital.
There will be nurses or technical assistants helping with the procedure as well.
The catheter is inserted either through a small incision or with a needle-stick.
Once in the artery, the catheter is advanced to the heart using X-ray guidance.
Measuring these intracardiac pressures can be helpful in diagnosing certain kinds of heart disease.
For instance,heart valve diseasecan be detected by measuring pressure differences between cardiac chambers.
Once the procedure is completed, the catheter is removed.
Post-Test
At this point, you will probably move to a post-surgical recovery suite.
By the morning, you should feel fully recovered and can resume your normal activities.
Interpreting Results
The test results are generally descriptive and detailed.
You may also need to have some medication adjustments after the procedure.
A Word From Verywell
The medical treatments available for heart disease are generally very successful and safe.
Sometimes the workup can take time, and you may not get a diagnosis right away.
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