This allows the doctor to gather information about the coronary arteries and the structure and function of the heart. It’s also the first step in certain procedures to improve heart function.
Once the catheter is in place, pressures in the heart are measured. An x-ray angiogram (motion picture x-ray) of the heart and blood vessels is taken. This is done while injecting an iodinated colorless "dye" or contrast material through the catheter. An angiogram of the coronary arteries is obtained by injecting the contrast material into the opening of a coronary artery.
Cardiac cath can:
■Show whether the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle are narrowed or blocked.
■Show whether the heart is pumping normally and blood is flowing properly through the heart.
■Help your doctor to form a treatment plan based on test results.
■Make treatment of certain heart problems possible.
■Rule out certain heart problems.
Cardiac
catheterization
