Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure in which thin catheters are guided through blood vessels into the heart or nearby vessels to measure function, obtain samples, or perform treatment.

Vascular access: Entry into the circulatory system through a blood vessel, commonly an artery or vein. The catheter enters through a vessel, often in the wrist or groin.
Coronary angiography: Imaging of the coronary arteries using X-ray contrast introduced through a catheter. It identifies coronary narrowing and helps guide decisions about revascularization.
Coronary circulation: The network of vessels that supplies blood to the heart muscle. Its arteries are frequent targets for catheter imaging and intervention.
Computed tomography coronary angiography: CT imaging that uses contrast material to visualize the coronary arteries without placing a catheter in them. It can assess coronary anatomy noninvasively, though it cannot perform catheter-based treatment.
Contrast-induced nephropathy: Acute kidney injury occurring after exposure to iodinated contrast material. Contrast used during some catheter procedures can pose added risk to vulnerable kidneys.
Fluoroscopy: Real-time X-ray imaging that displays moving internal structures and radiopaque instruments. It lets clinicians track the catheter as it advances through vessels and heart chambers.
Percutaneous coronary intervention: A catheter-based procedure that opens narrowed coronary arteries, usually with a balloon and stent. It can treat a blockage found during coronary angiography.
Heart chambers: The four internal compartments of the heart that receive and pump blood. Catheters can enter these chambers to measure pressure, sample blood, or deliver devices.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: Magnetic resonance imaging used to examine cardiac structure, function, and tissue characteristics. It offers detailed noninvasive assessment but does not directly measure intracardiac pressure.
Radiation exposure: Exposure of patients or workers to ionizing radiation from imaging procedures. Fluoroscopy makes radiation dose a consideration during catheterization.

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