What conditions indicate a need for a cardiac catheterization?

Varied: Cardiac catheterization is the procedure where a plastic tube is placed through either an arm or groin artery up to the heart to visualize the coronary arteries. This determines if there are blockages that require medication, stents or surgery. It is preceded first by a stress test to determine is there is a problem with a lack of blood supply to the heart. This condition is called ischemia.

Many: Pts with chest pain and an abnormal stress test are often sent for heart cath. Pts with shortness of breath and abnormal valves and pts with shunts and congential abnormalities of their hearts may benefit from a cath. Pts with pulmonary hypertension are cathed to diagnose and to monitor their treatment. To name a few.