Cardiac Catheterization

By E. Cochen


Cardiac Catheterization is an essential procedure involving the insertion of a thin flexible tube or catheter into the left or right side of the heart. This process is done for both interventional and diagnostic purposes and this is also done in order to check your heart. Those patients who have heart problems may also need to go through this process to be able to diagnose the causes of their heart conditions. The MRI exam is also one of the most important procedures essential to assess your heart.

The Cardiac Catheterization is also an important procedure in order to evaluate the presence of disease of your aorta, valve disease and coronary artery disease. This will also check if your heart muscles are functioning appropriately. During the early years, people do not have enough machines used to determine the conditions of their body especially the things that are happening within their heart. Fortunately, the modern technologies have now created a great way for many people to deeply understand their conditions of their body. With this essential process, your doctor does not necessarily have to open your chest just to check or evaluate the condition of your heart. The accuracy of this process makes it easier for doctors to determine your heart condition.

Furthermore, the Cardiac Catheterization is performed in order to further check or evaluate valvular disease, coronary artery disease, certain congenital heart conditions that is present at birth and congestive heart failure. In this procedure, a very small tube or catheter is being advanced in the arm or groin through your aorta into the heart. Once the catheter is put into place, there are some diagnostic techniques that can be used. The catheter's tip can also be put in some other parts of your heart that is essential in measuring the pressures within your chambers.

Cardiac Catheterization can also be performed if you have just recently experience some cardiac symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, having difficulties to breathe and dizziness. Prior to the procedure, your doctor will tell you about the process and the things that may happen or what you may feel. You can also ask some questions in order for you to understand the process before going to the procedure. You also have to tell your doctor for some allergies before the procedure.

You will remain conscious during the entire procedure although you will be given a sedating medication in order to ensure that you will remain comfortable during the whole process. A local anesthetic is injected to your skin to make you feel numb, though you may also feel stinging on your skin. Cardiac catheterization is a process that does not involve the opening of your chest to check of the heart problem. This procedure also takes a shorter healing process than that of a surgery.

If you will undergo cardiac catheterization, you must always be relaxed. You have to remember that this is the safest and the most effective way to know the things that are going on inside your heart. it is also significant to take MRI exam if you want to have another way to know the condition of your heart.




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