Question 1

why do some people need a heart catheterization?

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic : For certain heart problems (cad),  cardiac catheterization is the best diagnostic tool. Also, based on findings during cath, interventions can be done as indicated.

Question 2

is it true that a heart catheterization procedure is dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: The complication rate for serious adverse events with a routine heart cath is on the order of 1/1000  to 1/10000.    While rare, when they do happen they are quite serious, so you should always make the decision for a heart cath in conjunction with an experienced cardiologist.

Question 3

i just had heart catheterization done n it shows a pda moderate to latge with a very small posterolateral system. help..what is the system thing?

Accepted Answer

Cardiology jargon: In describing the coronary artery anatomy, we use the term "system" to describe an artery and its associated small branches.
The PDA is most commonly from the right coronary artery (rca). The rca may also supply a posterolateral (pl) system (then called a rpl), or a pl system may come off the left sided artery, the circumflex artery (then called the lpl).

Question 4

i'm wondering how serious is a heart catheterization?

Accepted Answer

Procedure : In terms of risk: there is a 10-20% chance of bleeding in the access site. Rarely does this need surgery  to repair it or antibiotics for infections. The major complications are stroke, heart attack or death; these are about 1 in 1000.

Question 5

hoping you can tell me, is heart catheterization procedure dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Catheterization : A site is numbed over the groin or radial artery. A catheter is introduced and passed under fluoroscopy to the heart where measurements and pictures are recorded. When done catheter removed, wound closed and patient recovered. The risk is quite low for most people on the level of 1 death/1000 patients even lower in some labs.

Question 6

who is the best person to read heart catheterization films ( cd ) not the reports? i am seeking a second opinion. which exact specialty or sub specialty?

Accepted Answer

Cardio or CT Surgeon: An interventional cardiologist who specializes in cardiac catheterizations or a cardio-thoracic (CT) surgeon would be the most expert in reading cardiac cath films.  I think the former is more practical, unless cardiac bypass surgery has been recommended, then a CT surgeon makes more sense.  Take care!

Question 7

what are the risks of doing a heart catheterization if the arteries turns out to be normal? can you still die from the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Generally cardiologist will only perform caths if they suspect the benefits outweigh the risks which they often do as the rate of complications is low. The most serious complicationis dissection of a coronary artery which could cause death if bypass surgery is not=performed.

Question 8

other than a cardiac catheterization.....is there another way to really see blockages in and around the heart?  if so what are the options?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but...: Although cardiac cath (coronary angiography) is the most common way to detect and to visualize blockages in the coronary arteries, there are other ways, to direct and indirectly detect blockages in the coronary arteries. CT angiography is one, and non-invasive stress tests are others. It depends on your clinical situation, your doctor may choose different tests.

Question 9

i had a heart catheterization approximately two years ago.  i continue to struggle with diabetes and hypertension (188/115) has been normal lately.  w?

Accepted Answer

Too high: This is way too high. See your doctor immediately to get it down. Needs to stay below  130/80.  Weight loss is best for diabetes.

Question 10

echocardiography 2months ago. estimated lvef was 60%. the heart catheterization a month later estimated it at (about 50%).what does dr mean by (about 50) is it 49. and is the heart function impaired?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily : The heart Cath is more accurate than the estimated EF on echo ( high variability between interpretation of readers). The question would be how occluded are the coronaries arteries which supply the heart. Follow up with your cardiologist as scheduled.

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Doctor answers about:

Recovery time after heart catheterization

A member asked:

Why do some people need a heart catheterization?

A member asked:

Is it true that a heart catheterization procedure is dangerous?

A member asked:

I just had heart catheterization done n it shows a pda moderate to latge with a very small posterolateral system. help..what is the system thing?

A member asked:

I'm wondering how serious is a heart catheterization?

A member asked:

Hoping you can tell me, is heart catheterization procedure dangerous?

A member asked:

Who is the best person to read heart catheterization films ( cd ) not the reports? i am seeking a second opinion. which exact specialty or sub specialty?

A member asked:

What are the risks of doing a heart catheterization if the arteries turns out to be normal? can you still die from the procedure?

A member asked:

Other than a cardiac catheterization.....is there another way to really see blockages in and around the heart? if so what are the options?

A member asked:

I had a heart catheterization approximately two years ago. i continue to struggle with diabetes and hypertension (188/115) has been normal lately. w?

A member asked:

Echocardiography 2months ago. estimated lvef was 60%. the heart catheterization a month later estimated it at (about 50%).what does dr mean by (about 50) is it 49. and is the heart function impaired?

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