cardiac catheterization
Invasive procedure using catheters to diagnose and treat coronary artery and heart valve diseases.
Full Definition
Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in which thin, flexible tubes (catheters) are inserted through blood vessels to reach the heart and coronary arteries. The procedure allows direct measurement of pressures within cardiac chambers, assessment of valve function, and visualization of coronary anatomy through contrast angiography. Therapeutic interventions during catheterization may include angioplasty, stent placement, valve repair, or closure of septal defects. Access is typically obtained through femoral, radial, or brachial arteries. Complications, though uncommon, can include bleeding, vessel injury, contrast nephropathy, or rarely stroke or death.
Usage
Usage note: May be abbreviated as 'cardiac cath' in informal clinical communication.
In Context
- "Cardiac catheterization revealed severe three-vessel coronary artery disease requiring surgical revascularization." — Interventional cardiology report
- "The patient was scheduled for diagnostic cardiac catheterization to evaluate chest pain and abnormal stress test results." — Pre-procedure planning note