What does cardiac catheterization involve?

Cardiac catheterization is a medical procedure that involves inserting a catheter into the heart through a blood vessel. This technique is primarily used to diagnose and treat various heart conditions. By threading the catheter through the vascular system, healthcare providers can measure pressures inside the heart chambers, assess blood flow in coronary arteries, and perform interventions such as angioplasty or stent placement.

The procedure allows for direct access to the heart and can provide critical information about its function and condition, enabling targeted treatment for conditions like coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, and congenital heart defects. Other possible choices, such as draining joint fluid or reconstructing blood vessels, pertain to different medical procedures and would not involve direct access to the heart. Hence, the core of cardiac catheterization hinges on the insertion of a catheter specifically designed for the cardiovascular system.