Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the coronary arteries for blockages or narrowing that may restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted through the wrist or groin and guided to the heart. Through this catheter, doctors can measure pressures, oxygen levels, and blood flow, and perform angiograms to view the arteries under X-ray imaging.
This test helps diagnose:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Heart valve problems
- Congenital heart defects
Cardiac catheterization may also be used to guide interventions like stent placement or balloon angioplasty when blockages are found.