cardiac catheterization
Invasive procedure using catheter-based techniques to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease.
Full Definition
Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure involving the insertion of specialized catheters into the coronary circulation via peripheral arterial or venous access. The procedure encompasses coronary angiography for vessel visualization, hemodynamic assessment, and various interventional techniques including angioplasty, stent placement, and atherectomy. Modern cardiac catheterization is performed in dedicated laboratories with fluoroscopic guidance, utilizing contrast agents for vessel opacification. The procedure enables real-time assessment of coronary anatomy, lesion severity, and ventricular function while providing immediate therapeutic options for coronary revascularization.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as 'cardiac cath' in clinical documentation
In Context
- "Emergency cardiac catheterization revealed complete occlusion of the left anterior descending artery." — Emergency department note
- "The patient was scheduled for elective cardiac catheterization following positive stress testing." — Cardiology consultation