Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure that gauges a patient’s heart function. The information physicians gather helps them determine if the patient has a heart issue. Richmond University Medical Center provides cardiac care for patients in Staten Island, New York.
Defining Cardiac Catheterization
Utilized by cardiologists, cardiac catheterization is a low-risk imaging procedure intended for diagnostic purposes. Also known as cardiac cath, it involves the insertion of a catheter (narrow, long tube) into a blood vessel in the patient’s arm or leg. The cardiologist then navigates the catheter into the patient’s coronary arteries, allowing them to closely examine the patient’s heart function. Depending on the case, the physician can place different tools at the top of the catheter to perform any of these tasks:
- Draw blood samples from different areas of the heart
- Look inside blood vessels
- Measure blood pressure in the heart chambers and the blood vessels connected to the heart
- Perform a biopsy, taking out a piece of heart tissue for further examination
If necessary, the physician may also use the catheter to perform any of these procedures during a cardiac catheterization:
- Angiography: The catheter releases a dye that helps the health professionals see impacted arteries during an X-ray.
- Angioplasty: The catheter opens a clogged or narrowed artery.
- Valvuloplasty: The catheter expands a narrow heart valve opening.
Who Should Undergo a Cardiac Catheterization?
Patients experiencing these common conditions can benefit from a cardiac catheterization:
- Blocked arteries: Plaque that builds up within an artery can prevent or completely cut off blood flow. Patients with blocked arteries are at a higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
- Chest pain: This condition, also known as angina, refers to any dull or sharp pain between the neck and stomach. It occurs when the heart muscle lacks blood with a high oxygen concentration.
- Coronary artery disease: As plaque gathers in heart arteries, blood flow declines. Some patients do not realize they have coronary artery disease until they have a heart attack.
- Coronary microvascular disease: This disease is also known as small vessel disease because it impacts small vessels that bring blood to heart tissue. A patient may experience prolonged chest pain due to coronary microvascular disease.
- Congenital heart disease: This refers to any heart conditions within a patient at birth. These various heart conditions can vary in severity from mild to fatal.
- Heart failure: Heart failure develops if the heart muscle struggles to pump blood normally. A patient could experience heart failure symptoms over a long time or suddenly.
- Heart valve disease: Someone experiencing this condition is having an issue with the direction of blood flow to their heart. Prolapse, regurgitation, and stenosis are names for the different forms of heart valve disease.
- Irregular heartbeat: An irregular heartbeat, also known as a heart arrhythmia, is the sensation of the heart beating too fast, too slowly, or beating in an inconsistent pattern. Issues with the electrical system in the heart create this condition.
What Happens During a Cardiac Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterizations take place within a hospital or other medical facility. A cardiac specialist, a nurse, and other health professionals typically provide care during the procedure.
The patient should follow instructions from their physician ahead of a cardiac catheterization procedure. They often include guidance about eating and drinking the day before. Patients should inform the physician of any personal allergies, their current medications, and if they are pregnant. The patient should also arrange for transportation home after the procedure.
A cardiac catheterization typically follows these steps:
- A nurse inserts an IV into a vein to administer local anesthesia to dull feelings around the injection site. They may also shave the injection site if needed.
- The physician injects the skin with a needle into a blood vessel, placing a small tube called a sheath into the vessel.
- The physician will then carefully bring the catheter into the vessel through the sheath.
- The health professionals will monitor the catheter as it moves and perform the necessary examinations or procedures.
- When diagnostic testing and/or other procedures are complete, the physician will remove the catheter and the sheath. The nurse will use pressure to stop bleeding at the injection site.
Learn More About Cardiac Catheterization at Richmond University Medical Center
By undergoing a cardiac catheterization, physicians can examine the patient’s heart to see if it is performing properly and to address heart healthcare needs. The professionals working in the Cardiovascular Department at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY, will help you determine if a cardiac catheterization would benefit you or a loved one. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
