Cardiac Catheterization
(cardiac cath)

What is cardiac catheterization?

Cardiac catheterization is performed to further diagnose coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, and/or certain congenital (present at birth) heart conditions, such as atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect, when other less invasive types of diagnostic tests indicate the presence of one of these conditions.

In cardiac catheterization (often called cardiac cath), a very small hollow tube, or catheter, is advanced from a blood vessel in the groin or arm through the aorta into the heart. Once the catheter is in place, several diagnostic techniques may be used. The tip of the catheter can be placed into various parts of the heart to measure the pressures within the chambers. The catheter can be advanced into the coronary arteries and a contrast dye injected into the arteries.

Reasons for the Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

A cardiac catheterization (or cardiac cath) may be performed to assist in the diagnosis of the following heart conditions:

atherosclerosis - a gradual clogging of the arteries over many years by fatty materials and other substances in the blood stream
cardiomyopathy - an enlargement of the heart due to thickening or weakening of the heart muscle
congenital heart disease - defects in one or more heart structures that occur during formation of the fetus, such as a ventricular septal defect (hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart)
congestive heart failure - a condition in which the heart muscle has become weakened to an extent that blood cannot be pumped efficiently, causing buildup (congestion) in the blood vessels and lungs, and edema (swelling) in the feet, ankles, and other parts of the body
valvular heart disease - malfunction of one or more of the heart valves that may cause an obstruction of the blood flow within the heart

Risks of the Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

Possible risks associated with cardiac catheterization (or cardiac cath) include, but are not limited to, the following:

bleeding at the catheter insertion site (usually the groin, but the arm may be used in certain circumstances)
blood clot or damage to the blood vessel at the insertion site
infection at the catheter insertion site
problems with heart rhythm (usually temporary)
ischemia (decreased blood flow to the heart tissue), chest pain, or angina
stroke (rare)

There may be other risks associated with cardiac catheterization depending upon your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician prior to the procedure.

Online Resources
The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Return to main Glossary Index