Why a Heart Cath

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Why a Heart Cath

Coronary artery disease. Cardiac catheterization is the best way to see if your coronary arteries are partly or completely blocked. The dye shows the location and the amount of blockage. The procedure can determine the need for other heart treatments.
Open-heart surgery. Catheterization is needed before surgery to define the anatomy of the heart.
Valvular heart disease. Catheterization can assist with heart valve evolution and detect the need for surgery.
Biopsy. A tissue sample of the heart muscle can be checked for inflammation or other problems.
Angioplasty. Catheters can be used to open a narrowed heart valve or artery. Balloon angioplasty, for example, uses pressure from a balloon to widen an artery.
Stenting. Catheters also may be used to place metal support in narrowed vessels.